Thriving in God’s Process
Thriving in God’s Process
Speaker: Pastor Caleb Culver
Date: May 18, 2025
We each face a choice: to trade our calling for comfort like Esau, to grasp for control like Jacob, or to trust God like Jesus. Pastor Caleb Culver reminds us that their story is ours too—and that God’s promise is always greater than our past.
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on this sermon:
Day 1: Embracing Your God-Given Role
Reading: Romans 12:3–8
Devotional: Just as Esau struggled with his role, we too can sometimes undervalue our place in God's plan. Paul reminds us that we are all part of one body with different functions. Reflect on your unique gifts and calling. How might you be tempted to compare yourself to others or devalue your role? Remember, God has intentionally placed you where you are. Your role, no matter how seemingly small, is vital to His kingdom. Today, embrace your position with gratitude and ask God to show you how to use your gifts for His glory.
Day 2: Wrestling with God
Reading: Genesis 32:22–32
Devotional: Jacob's wrestling match with God is a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual struggles. Sometimes, like Jacob, we find ourselves alone, facing our deepest fears and insecurities. It's in these moments that God often meets us, inviting us into a raw, honest encounter with Him. What are you wrestling with today? Bring it before God, not with polite, rehearsed prayers, but with authentic emotion. Remember, God is not afraid of your questions or your pain. He wants to meet you in your struggle and transform you through it.
Day 3: Finding Strength in Weakness
Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7–10
Devotional: Paul's thorn in the flesh reminds us that God's power is made perfect in our weakness. Like Jacob's limp, our vulnerabilities and struggles can become the very things God uses to display His strength. Reflect on a weakness or challenge in your life. How might God be using this to draw you closer to Him or to demonstrate His power? Instead of asking God to remove your struggles, try asking Him to reveal His strength through them. Embrace the paradox that in your weakness, you can find true strength in Christ.
Day 4: Delighting in God's Love
Reading: Luke 3:21–22
Devotional: Before Jesus performed any miracles or began His public ministry, the Father declared His love and pleasure in Him. This reminds us that God's love for us is not based on our performance or achievements. He delights in us simply because we are His children. Take a moment to imagine God speaking these words over you: "You are my beloved child, in whom I am well pleased." How does this change your perspective on your worth and identity? Today, rest in the assurance of God's unconditional love for you.
Day 5: Surrendering to God's Process
Reading: Philippians 1:6
Devotional: Unlike Jacob, who tried to manipulate circumstances to fulfill God's promise, we're called to trust in God's timing and process. Paul assures us that God, who began a good work in us, will carry it to completion. This requires patience and surrender on our part. What areas of your life are you trying to control or rush? How might you be resisting God's process? Today, practice surrendering these areas to God. Trust that He is working, even when you can't see it, and that His timing is perfect. Ask for the grace to cooperate with His work in your life, knowing that He is shaping you into the image of Christ.