Recognizing God’s Hand in Everyday Life
A practical Christian study of “Recognizing God’s Hand in Everyday Life,” with clear application for faith, relationships, and everyday life.
Experiencing God's Hand
Play the original Excel Still More episode here without leaving the article.
Begin with the truth
But listen to it again, and please do not overlook what is probably the most significant part of the instruction. Verse four, rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice, let your gentle spirit be known to all men, the Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
What this reveals about God
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you, so that we confidently say, The Lord is my helper. Trying circumstances in this life, rich, poor, sick, or healthy, none of it changes the fact that I have a helper who made it all, sees it all, saved me, and has promised me an eternity in the everlasting glories of heaven.
I've talked about this a lot in sermons over the years, and I usually preface if I'm in a gospel meeting or something, I say, look, these next few comments may weird you out a little bit.
Let faith take root
At the very beginning in chapter 7, right after it said the good hand of his God was upon him, verse 10 records, for Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it and to teach his statutes and ordinances in Israel. As we get to the last portion of today's episode, I want you to notice four things about Ezra in this story that God was able to use, things that were worth protecting, and things that made a difference.
So when he stepped out, God had good reason to protect him because he was useful in the kingdom.
Respond in daily life
Here you have marriages in shambles, Ezra can't believe it, but neither one of them gave up. How could you walk away from God if he was standing next to you saying, I have got you, I am with you even to the ends of the age, I am near, let's do this.
So if you're thinking, hey, I didn't tune in to an Excel Stillmore episode just to hear about God, I want some action items.
Take the idea with you.
- 01Where do I see the problem or opportunity described in “Recognizing God’s Hand in Everyday Life” in my own life?
- 02What Scripture or spiritual principle in this study most needs my attention?
- 03What one specific change can I make this week to put this teaching into practice?
Prefer listening?
The original episode player is available near the top of this article, so you can listen without leaving the page.