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 started our new series, "Old School." Join us as we look to Old Testament stories for modern day life.
Day 1: Defined by God
Devotional
Identity is a powerful force in our lives. It shapes how we see ourselves, how we interact with others, and how we face challenges. But where does our identity come from? Too often, we allow the world to define us by our failures, our appearance, our job title, or our past mistakes. In the story of David and Goliath, we see the Israelite army trembling before a giant because they had accepted his definition of them as mere 'servants of Saul.' They had forgotten who they truly were – God's chosen people, His treasured possession. God has given each of us a divine identity that transcends any label the world might place on us. When we understand who we are in God's eyes, it changes everything. We are not defined by our worst moments or greatest achievements, but by His unchanging love for us. Just as David saw himself and his people through God's perspective rather than Goliath's taunts, we too can choose to live according to our God-given identity rather than the world's definitions. This isn't about positive thinking; it's about believing the truth of who God says we are.
Bible Verse
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." - 1 Peter 2:9
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life have you allowed the world's definitions to overshadow God's definition of who you are? How might your approach to challenges change if you fully embraced your identity as God's special possession?
Quote
Too often, we let the world define what we are instead of living in the God given definition of who we are.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me and making me Your special possession. Help me to see myself through Your eyes rather than the world's. When I face giants in my life, remind me of who I am in You. Give me the courage to live according to the identity You have given me. Amen.
Day 2: God's Special Possession
Devotional
Have you ever considered what it means to be God's special possession? Think about your most treasured item – perhaps a family heirloom, a gift from someone you love, or something you worked hard to obtain. How carefully you protect it, how much you value it! Now imagine this: the Creator of the universe treasures you even more. You are His special possession. Not because of anything you've done to earn this status, but simply because He chose you. In the Valley of Elah, the Israelite army had forgotten this precious truth. They cowered before Goliath, believing his words about who they were rather than God's promises. But David arrived with a different perspective. He knew whose he was, and that knowledge gave him extraordinary courage. When we truly grasp that we are God's cherished possession, fear loses its grip on us. We no longer need to prove our worth or earn our place. We can face life's giants with confidence, not because of our own strength, but because we know how valuable we are to the One who holds all power.
Bible Verse
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10
Reflection Question
If you truly believed that you are God's special possession – His treasured one – how would it change the way you approach your current struggles and challenges?
Quote
If you have a relationship with Jesus, you are defined by God as his special possession. Everybody has something that they cherish incredibly. I use the analogy of if the house was on fire, what's the one thing that you would run in and get that that's your special possession to God. That's you. That's you.
Prayer
Lord, it's overwhelming to think that You cherish me as Your special possession. Help me to live in this truth today. When I feel insignificant or afraid, remind me of my value in Your eyes. Thank You for choosing me and loving me so completely. May I live today with the confidence that comes from knowing whose I am. Amen.
Day 3: Past Preparation for Future Victory
Devotional
Our lives are filled with experiences that shape us – some joyful, others painful. We often wonder why we face certain challenges or go through difficult seasons. What if these experiences are actually preparation for future victories? David didn't face Goliath without preparation. His years as a shepherd had equipped him with courage and skill. When lions and bears threatened his flock, David fought them off, developing the very abilities he would need to face the Philistine giant. What seemed like ordinary work was actually divine training. God doesn't waste a single moment of our lives. The skills you've developed, the hardships you've endured, the lessons you've learned – all of these are part of God's preparation for what lies ahead. That difficult relationship may be teaching you patience. That challenging job might be developing your perseverance. That painful loss could be deepening your compassion. When David stepped onto the battlefield, he didn't need to become someone else. He simply needed to be the David that God had been preparing all along. And the same is true for you. Your unique experiences are shaping you for purposes you may not yet see.
Bible Verse
"Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'" - 1 Samuel 17:45
Reflection Question
What past experiences in your life, even difficult ones, might God be using to prepare you for future opportunities or challenges? How can you view these experiences through the lens of God's preparation rather than random hardship?
Quote
My past experiences might be preparation for my future victory.
Prayer
God, help me to see Your purpose in my past experiences. Thank You that You don't waste any part of my story. Give me the wisdom to recognize how You've been preparing me through both joys and challenges. When I face giants in my life, remind me to draw on the preparation You've already provided. I trust that You are working all things together for my good. Amen.
Day 4: The Divine Mismatch
Devotional
On the surface, David versus Goliath seemed like the ultimate mismatch – a shepherd boy against a battle-hardened warrior, a sling against a sword, youth against experience. But David understood something profound: when God enters the equation, the odds are always in our favor. The world looks at outward appearances and makes calculations based on visible strengths and weaknesses. But God operates on a different level. When we align ourselves with Him, what appears to be a disadvantage in the world's eyes becomes irrelevant. David didn't try to fight like Saul or imitate Goliath's tactics. He didn't need to be anyone but himself – the shepherd boy who trusted in the living God. And that made all the difference. What seemed like a mismatch to everyone else was actually a divine setup for God's power to be displayed. When we face overwhelming challenges, we don't need to become someone we're not. We simply need to be who God created us to be and trust Him with the outcome. The battle belongs to the Lord, and when He fights for us, victory is assured – not because of our strength, but because of His.
Bible Verse
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Reflection Question
What seemingly impossible situation are you facing right now that needs to be viewed through the lens of God's power rather than human limitations? How right your approach change if you truly believed God was fighting for you?
Quote
It's always a mismatch. If I walk with God into the battle, David flipped the script.
Prayer
Lord, thank You that when You are on my side, I never face a fair fight – the odds are always in my favor. Help me to stop trying to fight battles in my own strength. Remind me that You are greater than any giant I will ever face. Give me David's confidence to step forward with the gifts You've given me, trusting not in my abilities but in Your power. The battle belongs to You, Lord. Amen.
Day 5: Living in Your True Identity
Devotional
Identity determines action. When the Israelites saw themselves as mere servants of Saul, they cowered in fear. But when David arrived and reminded them of their true identity as the army of the living God, everything changed. The same is true in our lives. God has given us the most magnificent identity possible – we are His masterpiece, His children, His chosen ones. Yet too often we live as though we're defined by our failures, our struggles, or others' opinions of us. We stand in the promised land God has given us while believing the Goliaths who taunt us. Embracing our God-given identity isn't about inflating our ego; it's about accurately understanding who we are in Christ. When we know we are loved, chosen, and empowered by the Spirit of God, we approach life differently. We no longer run from challenges but face them with confidence, knowing we're not alone. Today, you have a choice. Will you live according to the world's definition of you, or will you step into the identity God has already given you? Will you cower before your giants, or will you face them as a child of the King of Kings?
Bible Verse
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." - Ephesians 2:10
Reflection Question
What would change in your life today if you fully embraced your identity as God's masterpiece and beloved child? What giant might you face differently with this perspective?
Quote
Are you living in your identity or are you running scared from what God has for you because you bought into what the world says about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible identity You've given me. Forgive me for the times I've allowed the world to define me rather than living in the truth of who You say I am. Help me to walk confidently as Your child today, facing my challenges with the knowledge that Your Spirit lives in me and Your power works through me. May I live in a way that reflects my true identity in You. Amen.