THE BREAKDOWN
Message Rewind

The Breakdown of
Run or Remain:
The Choice That Defines Your Destiny

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🎥 Watch the Replay of Run or Remain: The Choice That Defines Your Destiny

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Sermon Overview

In this sermon, I discussed choosing between two paths in life: one that is easy, well-lit, and inviting, and another that is dark, difficult, and filled with trials.

I emphasized that being close to Jesus does not mean being in a comfort zone but rather being in a transformation zone. This transformation zone is not always comfortable, but it is where we grow and change. I also highlighted that trials are not just tests of faith but testimonies in the making.

Even in the darkest moments, God is invited to show up in our story.

Key takeaways (YouTube Timestamps)

1. Every choice we make affects us in life. We must choose whether to run or remain, which defines our destiny. [34:55]​
2. Followers of Jesus practice habits that draw them close to Him. Proximity without power is meaningless. [49:30]​
3. Trials are not just tests of faith but testimonies in the making. They are opportunities for God to show up in our story. [51:03]​
4. Proximity to Jesus does not always equal maturity. Being close to Jesus exposes us to truths that can be hard to handle, which are necessary for our spiritual growth. [51:50]​
5. Being close to Jesus means being in a transformation zone, not a comfort zone. It’s about growth and change, not comfort. [54:39]​

Daily Devotional

Day 1: Run or Remain: The Choice That Defines Your Destiny

In life, we often find ourselves at a crossroads, faced with the decision to run or remain. This choice is not always between good and evil but often between the easy, well-lit path and the difficult, dark path.

The path we choose ultimately defines our destiny. It’s important to remember that the easy path is sometimes wrong, and the problematic path often leads to growth and transformation ([32:14).

Proverbs 4:18 – “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”

Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. Was it a choice to run or remain? How did this choice impact your spiritual growth?

Day 2: Trials are Testimonies in the Making

Trials are not just tests of our faith but testimonies in the making. Being close to Jesus is a blessing, but it comes with challenges. These trials are not meant to break us but to shape and mold us into the people God wants us to be. They are the genesis of a new testimony ([51:03]).

James 1:2-4 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Reflection: Think about a recent trial you faced. How did it test your faith, and what testimony is it creating in your life?

Day 3: Proximity to Jesus Requires Practice

Being close to Jesus requires more than just proximity; it requires practice. It involves doing the things that draw us closer to Him, such as prayer, confession, and acts of service. Proximity without practice can lead to a lack of power and purpose in our spiritual lives ([49:30]).

James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Reflection: What practices are you implementing to draw closer to Jesus? How have these practices impacted your relationship with Him?

Day 4: God Shows Up in Our Darkest Moments

Even in our darkest moments, God is present. These moments are not just trials but invitations for God to show up in our lives. They allow us to profoundly experience His grace, mercy, and love ([54:05]).

Psalm 139:11-12 – “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”

Reflection: Reflect on a dark moment in your life. How did you experience God’s presence during this time?

Day 5: Transformation Over Comfort

Being close to Jesus doesn’t mean we’re in a comfort zone; it means we’re in a transformation zone. Jesus is more interested in our transformation than our comfort. He wants us to grow, change, and become more like Him. This often involves stepping out of our comfort zones and into the unknown ([55:26]).

Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Reflection: What steps are you taking to step out of your comfort zone and into transformation? How has this impacted your spiritual growth?

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