The Danger of Small Steps

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

February 8th Sermon, Day 1

We often think of moral failure as a sudden catastrophe - like a tire blowout on the highway that comes out of nowhere. But that's not how it actually works. King David's story teaches us that spiritual downfalls happen gradually, one small compromise at a time. David didn't wake up one morning and decide to commit adultery and murder. His fall began with seemingly innocent choices - staying home when he should have been with his troops, taking a walk on his roof at the wrong time, allowing his eyes to linger where they shouldn't. Each step seemed manageable, even justifiable.

This is how it works in our lives too. We don't usually plan to hurt our marriages, damage our integrity, or wound our relationship with God. Instead, we make small compromises. We tell ourselves it's just this once, or that we can handle it, or that no one will know. But these small steps create a path that leads us away from where we want to be. The good news is that recognizing this pattern gives us power. When we understand that big failures start with small compromises, we can be more vigilant about the seemingly insignificant choices we make each day. We can ask ourselves: Where is this small step leading me? Is this the direction I want to go? God's grace is available to us not just after we fall, but in every moment when we're tempted to take that first small step away from His best for our lives.

Bible Verse

'In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.' - 2 Samuel 11:1

Reflection Question

What small compromises or 'first steps' in your life might be leading you away from God's best for you?

Quote Spiritual downfalls never happen all at once. They happen one small step at a time.

Prayer

Lord, help me to be aware of the small choices I make each day. Give me wisdom to recognize when I'm taking steps away from You, and the courage to turn back before small compromises become big failures. Amen.

Choosing Kindness in Hard Conversations

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

February 1st Sermon, Day 5

Some of the most transformative moments in our relationships happen during the conversations we'd rather avoid. When someone disagrees with us, hurts our feelings, or challenges our perspective, our natural instinct is often to defend ourselves or prove we're right. But what if we chose a different path?

Kindness in difficult conversations isn't weakness; it's love in practical action. It means choosing to be curious instead of defensive, asking questions to understand rather than to trap, and genuinely caring about the other person's perspective even when we disagree. This approach requires us to step outside our own story - our pain, our agenda, our need to be right - and truly see the person in front of us.

When we do this, something beautiful happens. Instead of two people fighting to be heard, we create space for real connection and understanding. In the sermon, Pastor Jolaina shared how she chose to remain curious during a heated discussion, asking open questions to understand what was motivating the other person. Instead of a defensive argument, it became a vulnerable, supportive conversation where both people felt heard and respected. Even without complete agreement, they experienced unity and connection - and sensed God's presence hovering over them.

This is the power of approaching hard conversations with kindness and genuine curiosity. We don't walk this road alone; God's Spirit empowers us to love others well, even when it's difficult. When we choose kindness, we create opportunities for healing, understanding, and deeper relationship.

Bible Verse

'Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.' - Ephesians 4:32

Reflection Question

Think of a difficult conversation you need to have or are currently avoiding - how might approaching it with genuine curiosity and kindness change the outcome?

Quote

I chose to be kind, remain curious, ask open questions to learn further about what that person was thinking and what was motivating them to respond the way they were.

Prayer

Lord, give me the courage to approach difficult conversations with kindness and genuine curiosity. Help me to step outside my own perspective and truly see and hear others. Let Your love flow through me, creating space for understanding and connection. Amen.

Words That Build Up

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

February 1st Sermon, Day 4

Every word we speak has the power to either build someone up or tear them down. Think about the words that have shaped you - both the encouraging ones that gave you confidence and the harsh ones that still echo in your mind years later. Our words carry that same power in the lives of others.

Paul challenges us to examine our speech patterns. Do our words spread grace, truth, mercy, and love? Or do they spread decay and filth? This isn't just about avoiding obvious sins like cursing or gossip. It's about intentionally choosing words that benefit those who listen. Consider your conversations with your family, coworkers, or friends. Are you quick to criticize or slow to encourage? Do you focus on what's wrong or look for what's going right? When someone shares a struggle with you, do your words offer hope and support, or do they add to their burden?

The beautiful thing about choosing life-giving words is that it transforms not just the listener, but also the speaker. When we make it our habit to speak encouragement, we begin to see people differently. We start noticing their strengths instead of just their weaknesses. We become agents of God's grace in a world that often feels harsh and critical. This doesn't mean we avoid difficult conversations or never address problems. It means we approach these conversations with the goal of building up rather than tearing down, always asking ourselves: 'How can my words bring life to this situation?'

Bible Verse

'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.' - Ephesians 4:29

Reflection Question

Looking at your recent conversations, what patterns do you notice in your speech, and how can you be more intentional about using words that build others up?

Quote

Our words about people can either lift them up or tear them down.

Prayer

God, help me to be mindful of my words and their impact on others. Give me wisdom to speak life and encouragement, even in difficult situations. Let my words be a reflection of Your love and grace. Amen.

Handling Anger God’s Way

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

February 1st Sermon, Day 3

Anger gets a bad reputation in Christian circles, but the truth is, anger itself isn't sin. Jesus overturned tables in the temple when He saw injustice. The problem isn't feeling angry; it's what we do with that anger and how long we hold onto it. We live in a world full of injustice, broken promises, and hurtful words. It's natural to feel angry when we're treated unfairly or when we see others being hurt. The key is learning to process that anger in healthy ways before it transforms into something destructive.

Paul gives us a time limit: don't let the sun go down on your anger. This isn't just practical advice; it's spiritual wisdom. When we nurse our anger overnight, it begins to change. What started as righteous indignation can morph into bitterness, resentment, or thoughts of revenge. These emotions give the enemy a foothold in our hearts and relationships. Instead of letting anger fester, we can bring it to God immediately. We can ask Him to help us understand what's behind our anger and how to respond in a way that honors Him. Sometimes this means having a difficult conversation. Other times it means choosing to forgive and let go.

Remember, we're human and fallible. Even our righteous anger can quickly become tainted with selfishness or pride. That's why we need God's help to navigate these emotions wisely, turning potential relationship destroyers into opportunities for growth and deeper connection.

Bible Verse

'In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.' - Ephesians 4:26-27

Reflection Question

What anger have you been carrying that needs to be addressed before it transforms into something more destructive, and what practical steps will you take to deal with it today?

Quote

Don't let it fester, because when it festers, it's going to mutate into things like hatred and contempt or revenge. For there, right there, that's where sin lies in wait.

Prayer

Lord, help me to handle my anger in ways that honor You. When I feel wronged or frustrated, give me wisdom to respond righteously. Don't let bitterness take root in my heart, but help me to address conflicts quickly and with grace. Amen.

The Power of Truth in Community

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

February 1st Sermon, Day 2

Trust is the foundation of every meaningful relationship, and truth is what builds that trust brick by brick. When we're dishonest - whether through outright lies, half-truths, or convenient omissions - we're not just hurting the other person; we're damaging the very fabric of our community. Think about a time when someone lied to you.

Remember that sinking feeling when you discovered the truth? That moment when trust cracked, and you wondered what else might not be true? Now imagine that happening repeatedly in a church, family, or workplace. The bonds that hold us together begin to unravel. Paul understood that the church functions like a body - each part connected and dependent on the others. When we speak truthfully, we strengthen these connections. When we lie, we create dysfunction that affects everyone. It's like a virus that spreads, making the whole body sick.

But here's the encouraging news: every time we choose truth, we're building something beautiful. We're creating safe spaces where people can be vulnerable, where real growth happens, and where God's love is tangibly expressed. Truth-telling isn't always easy - sometimes it requires difficult conversations or admitting our mistakes - but it's always worth it. When we commit to honesty, we're not just following a rule; we're participating in God's character. He is truth, and when we speak truthfully, we reflect His nature to the world around us.

Bible Verse

'Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.' - Ephesians 4:25

Reflection Question

Are there any areas in your relationships where you've been less than completely honest, and what steps can you take to rebuild trust through truthfulness?

Quote

Lying, falsehood is a gross hindrance to the function of the church body. It is game over, life over for the church as a body if there's lying.

Prayer

Father, give me the courage to speak truth in love, even when it's difficult. Help me to see how my honesty strengthens our community and reflects Your character. Forgive me for times I've chosen convenience over truth. Amen.