BOBBY MCGRAW

speaker + instigator of hope

Your Story Matters (More than you think!)

Years ago I got a shirt that simply says: Your Story Matter. The longer I’ve had it, the more convinced of it I’ve become.

I believe two things:

Your story matters. And…
You can live a better story.

Everybody has a unique and powerful story. We can learn a lot about our own story by looking at the story of Joseph. His story is found in Genesis 37-50.

Three truths about your story:

1. YOUR STORY HAS A  UNIQUE DESIGN :: Genesis 37:1-4

We are introduced to Joseph when he’s just a teenager. We learn that he is the youngest child in his family and is favored by his dad. His brothers hated him and were jealous of him. Joseph had a dream that pointed to a day when all of the family would bow down in front of him. When he told this dream to his brothers, they hated him even more.

Joseph’s story had a rough start. Behind the dream he had was the call and purpose of God on his life. He didn’t fully understand it as a teenager, but God was going to do something great through his life.

Everyone of us has a call and a purpose on our lives. Usually, we discover it by paying attention to the things that frustrate us and break our hearts. We may not see the big picture at first, but the longer we walk with God the clearer the calling becomes.

2. YOUR STORY HAS A LOT OF UPS and DOWNS :: Genesis 37-50

Joseph’s story had a lot of ups and downs. Here are a few of them:

⬆️  Had the Dream

⬇️ Told His Brothers

⬇️ Thrown into a Well

⬆️ Rescued

⬇️ Sold into Slavery

⬆️ Serves in Potiphar’s House

⬇️ Falsely Accused by Mrs. Potiphar

⬆️ Meets Cupbearer and Baker

⬇️ Cupbearer Forgets

⬆️ Stands before Pharaoh

⬇️ Reunited with Brothers

⬆️ Forgives

⬆️ Saves Egypt

Your story has a lot of ups and downs as well. These ups and downs are not punishment; they are preparation for what God has for you.

God is far more concerned about developing your CHARACTER than he is your COMFORT.

3. YOUR STORY CAN BE USED TO SHAPE DESTINY :: Genesis 50:15-20

Joseph’s brothers were afraid that Joseph would get even with them and punish them. Their dad died, so they thought their days were numbered. They were wrong.

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” – Genesis 50:15-20

Joseph discovered the redemptive side of his story – because of all he had been through he was able to save the lives of many.

Your story has a redemptive side. God can use your story as part of his story to save the lives of many.

I encourage you to:

  • Surrender your life fully.

  • Then surrender every single day.

Your story matters.

THE 140:

God can use your story as part of his story to save the lives of many. Click To Tweet

This devotional is one in Sugar Hill Church’s First 30 devotional series for college students. To access the entire series & podcasts be sure to check SHC’s site each day, as new ones are added daily. (Because we know you are busy, just click here & save as bookmark.)

Listen to Today’s Devotional

How the Faithful Fight (3 Ways to Handle Haters)

Have you noticed all the drama? It’s everywhere!

People are…

Frustrated
Ticked off
Picking fights
Going off
Subtweeting
Hacking profiles
And more!

It’s crazy!

You probably don’t need me to tell you the obvious:

In this life that you will face attacks from critics and haters. You can handle your haters in a holy way.

You can handle your haters in a holy way. Click To Tweet

You have a decision to make. You have to decide if you’ll react emotionally or respond appropriately.

Before you hit send on an angry message, before you go off on social media, I want to ask you to consider how the faithful fight back. There is a right way to fight…there is a holy way to handle your haters.

Daniel 6 gives us a great framework…

1. Expect Opposition 

…these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” – Daniel 6:5

Part of fighting fair is just realizing that there is going to be a fight. There is going to be opposition. Here’s a simple truth:

When God raises you up, expect others to tear you down.

When God raises you up, expect others to tear you down. Click To Tweet

Daniel was very successful. He was promoted several times. The higher he was promoted, the more of a target he became.

Here’s what I’ve noticed about attacks:

// You’ll be attacked by someone you know. \\

Because you know them, these attacks hurt the worst. That’s harder to swallow than just a mere stranger attacking you. That’s the nature of it. Promotion on the outside leads to a lot of trouble on the inside.

Promotion on the outside leads to a lot of trouble on the inside. Click To Tweet

// You’ll be attacked during a season of success. \\

Most attacks come when we’re not expecting it. When things are going well, we tend to live in auto-pilot mode. We aren’t on the lookout. Be careful, that’s usually when the attacks come.

I know, attacks aren’t fun, but they’re going to happen. If you’re not ready to face attacks for being obedient, you are not ready to be used by God. The two go hand in hand.

Daniel was promoted and attacked. He was in the middle of God’s Will and still had haters.

You’ve been there, right?

2. Examine Your Options

Daniel had to make a choice about what he was going to do. The king put the law in place, making it illegal for Daniel to pray.

Daniel had at least three options:

  • He could’ve stopped praying. At least for a while. He’d been faithful for many years, would it hurt if he stopped praying for a month?
  • He could’ve prayed silently. He could still pray without people knowing.
  • He could keep praying. He could keep doing what he had always done.

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. – Daniel 6:10

Go ahead and make your decision ahead of time to be a person of character. When you haven’t decided ahead of time, it’s easy to shift from making decisions based on character to making decisions based on convenience.

My friend Dave Edwards talks about this in his book entitled LIT.

The Shift from Character to Convenience

Character: I will pray out loud.
Convenience: I don’t want to offend anybody.

Character: I will make decisions based on principles of God.
Convenience: I will make decisions based on emotions.

Character: I will do what God wants.
Convenience: I will do whatever brings pleasure.

Character: How will this impact my relationship with God in the future?
Convenience: What seems best now?

Character: What does God’s word say?
Convenience: What do others say?

Character: I’m going to do the right thing no matter what.
Convenience: I’ll do what I want.

Because Daniel chose character, he continued to pray.

Bowing to pray gives you strength to stand.

Bowing to pray gives you strength to stand. Click To Tweet

Daniel was able to stand with boldness and so will you.

3. Expect to Overcome 

Daniel didn’t know how the story was going to end. He didn’t have a completed Bible to read and know he would be delivered. But here’s what he did know: God had been faithful to him, so he would be faithful to God.

When it comes to how the faithful fight, decide to do what’s right and trust God with the results.

What were the results for Daniel? God delivered him unharmed!

22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
– Daniel 6:22-23

So I encourage you. Before you react emotionally, respond appropriately:

  • When God raises you, people tear down
  • Bowing to pray gives you strength to stand and fight.
  • Do what’s right—trust God with the results.

THE 140:

When it comes to conflict, do what's right and trust God with the results. Click To Tweet

This devotional is one in Sugar Hill Church’s First 30 devotional series for college students. To access the entire series & podcasts be sure to check SHC’s site each day, as new ones are added daily. (Because we know you are busy, just click here & save as bookmark.)

Listen to Today’s Devotional

The BIGGEST Deal

Have you ever wondered … what’s the big deal with Jesus?

Where I grew up, I remember singing songs like, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, greatest name I know.” I’m sure I’ve heard hundreds of lessons and sermons about Jesus … that Jesus is the answer … that he is our hope … that he loves us. There were all true.

Today’s climate and culture is different, I suppose. It seems we live in a world that doesn’t value Jesus in the same way. It’s as if his name has become just another name, and he has become just another way.

So why do we make a big deal about Jesus around here?

Why do we say that the Bible is a big deal and that Jesus is the biggest deal?

It’s a good question.

One of the most famous believers in the Bible is a guy named Paul. He’s a guy with quite a story. He spent a good portion of his life persecuting those who believed in Jesus. He hated Jesus and anybody who followed him. He tried to put a stop to the emerging Church by killing the early Church leaders.

Until he met Jesus. When Paul met Jesus, his whole life changed … for the better.

He wrote a lot of letters that became books of the Bible. Romans is a letter he wrote to the churches spread across Rome. There was a lot of tension in the early church. They were trying to figure out what it looked like for the life of Christ to be lived out.

Today’s teaching comes from Romans chapter 5. Paul opens chapter 5 by talking about the one thing everybody needs – peace with God. From these verses, we learn why Jesus is a big deal.

Why is Jesus a big deal?

Because Jesus …

1. RESCUES US

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5

Paul is saying that when we don’t know Jesus we are helpless, powerless, and cut off from the presence of God. Yet, Jesus still died on the cross for our sin. God sent his Son to die for the very people who refused to worship him. That reveals the magnitude of God’s love for us.

When we are helpless, powerless and cutoff, we think that doing right will make us right with God. We think: Maybe I can volunteer my time somewhere. Maybe I can give some money. Maybe I can improve my life. Maybe I can try harder and clean up my act.

We think that doing right will make us right.

The problem is that doing right can never make us right.

We can’t earn our way into heaven. We can’t bribe God to get him on our side. No matter how hard we work or try, there is still a gnawing feeling inside of us.

At the right time, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us and went to the cross and redeemed us from having to earn our way in. We don’t become Christians because we believe in our own goodness. We don’t become believers because we believe in ourselves.

We come to Christ and he gives us the faith and the confidence to believe in him. When we believe his death as our own death he frees us from having to earn our way into the presence of God. He rescues us from ourselves and the world.

2. RELEASES US

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. – Romans 5

Paul explains that anybody who doesn’t know Christ personally is at enmity with God. Why? Because we can’t obey God’s law or fulfill God’s Will. Condemnation means that God declares us sinners, which is a declaration of war. Justification means that God declares us righteous, which is a declaration of peace, made possible by Christ’s death on the cross.

He removes the hostility that existed between us and him because of that sin. He makes relationship possible. Jesus releases us from our past mistakes, scars and screw ups.

Jesus declares us to be something we could never attain on our own.

Our sins are not just covered. Our sins are removed.

Our sins are not just covered; our sins are removed! Click To Tweet

3. RESTORES US

9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. – Romans 5

God hates sin. It cost him the life of his son. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned against God, everybody has been born a sinner separated from God because of our sin. Sin makes us enemies of God.

But now because of the death of Jesus he has removed the separation and restored us into a relationship of peace. He has paid for the sin. The reason why we are able to experience the presence of God is because Jesus made peace and restored us so that now we are able to step into the presence of God and know him.

4. RECREATES US!

11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. – Romans 5

Eternal life is not just about heaven. Eternal life is the life of God given to those who by faith know him as their leader and are letting him control their life now.

The life of Jesus is deposited in us. His presence in our life enables us to live the life that he’s called us to live.

So why is Jesus a big deal?

At the end of the day, all that we really long for and truly need is peace with God. The thing that we truly need is something we can’t get ourselves. Only Jesus can give it.

Only Jesus can rescue us.

Only Jesus can release us.

Only Jesus can restore us.

Only Jesus can recreate us.

Only Jesus.

That’s a big deal.

THE 140:

Why Jesus? Only Jesus can forgive us and give us a relationship of peace with God. Click To Tweet

This devotional is one in Sugar Hill Church’s First 30 devotional series for college students. To access the entire series & podcasts be sure to check SHC’s site each day, as new ones are added daily. (Because we know you are busy, just click here & save as bookmark.)

Listen to Today’s Devotional

Trusting God with the Details (5 Positive Reasons)

Here’s today’s idea: Instead of trying to fit God into your plans, discover His plans and fit your life into them.

One of the biggest temptations we fall into is trusting God with the big stuff in our lives while trying the handle the details ourselves. We tend to live from big event to big event. The problem with this kind of living is that you never grow up spiritually. You remain spiritually immature.

The secret of growing up spiritually is trusting God with the details of your life.

Here’s the question I want to invite you to ask yourself:

Do I trust that the one who knows me best actually knows what’s best for my life?

Years ago, my friend, Dave Edwards taught a lesson on the five positive results of trusting God with the details of your life. Here’s what I learned:

When you trust God with the details, you get to experience Christ like results.

Result 1: You experience peace.

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; or length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you.” Proverbs 3:1-2

Don’t get so caught up in your new-found freedom that you forget what you’ve learned in Church, your quiet times and small group. Don’t forget to apply the notes you’ve taken. Don’t forget to apply truth.

Don’t just know the truth in your head, allow it to drop down into your heart.

Why?

Every time we apply the truth of God to the details of our lives, it increases the peace of God.

Every time we apply the truth of God to the details of our lives, it increases the peace of God. Click To Tweet

2. You have relationships that work.

“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4

Kindness and truth are the two things that all relationships are built on. It doesn’t matter if it is a relationship with your parents, bosses, friends, or who you date. Every relationship that you have is built on kindness and truth.

When you allow kindness and truth to be the way you handle relationships, you find favor. Your relationships work. There is less drama.

3. You get to know and do the Will of God.

The greatest need you have is to know God’s will. What does God want for your career? What does he want for your relationships? What does he want for your future?

Many of you are at a crossroads and your greatest need is to know God’s will.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Don’t try to figure it out without God. No matter how bright you are, you don’t know it all. There are some things about your life God knows that you don’t know. When you lean on Him, He will make the path of your life straight (or obvious).

4. You get to reach your full potential.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8

Your life will be complete – whole. You get to live out the design the God created you to live.

5. It is always for your good.

“My child, don’t ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11-12

Being disciplined or corrected rarely sounds fun. I tend to think back to my childhood and the silly question every parent asks, “Do you want a spanking?” Uh….no.

The word for discipline means pressure. Because God loves us, he applies pressure to the areas of our lives that we need to trust him. He takes his finger and points out the details.

That brings me back to the original question:

Do you trust that the one who knows you best actually knows what’s best for your life?

Is there any area of your life you’re feeling pressure? Could that area of pressure be a detail God is pointing at?

Remember, the secret of the Christian life is trusting God with the details. Every time you do, you reap God-like results.

Trust him today.

THE 140:

The secret of the Christian life is trusting God with the details. You get to reap God-like results. Click To Tweet

This devotional is one in Sugar Hill Church’s First 30 devotional series for college students. To access the entire series & podcasts be sure to check SHC’s site each day, as new ones are added daily. (Because we know you are busy, just click here & save as bookmark.)

Listen to Today’s Devotional

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

I’ll admit it. I wasn’t a great student, especially in middle school and high school. Honestly, for a while, I didn’t see the point. I just wanted to work and do my own thing.

Something changed. It clicked in college that learning and growing are part of my spiritual growth. Do you remember what Jesus said about our minds?

An expert in the law stepped up and asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” That’s a pretty good question. I’m not sure what this guy expected Jesus to say, but I’m pretty sure he wasn’t expecting

Jesus response:

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Luke 10:27

Jesus says that an essential part of loving God is with our minds. What that means is when you begin to really think about honoring God with your mind, education take on a whole new significance. It becomes valuable. It becomes important. If for no other reason, because Jesus said so.

So how do you do it? I’m by no means an expert at this, but I have committed to grow in this area. Here are a few tips I’d give.

Loving God with Your Mind

1. Commit to being a life-long learner.

I know you know a lot, but recognize that you don’t know it all. Always keep learning. Always keep growing. When you do this, you can do this in a way that God get’s the credit. God gets the glory. Never quit learning.

Create a rhythm in your schedule that allows you to consume helpful content. The two biggest ways I do this is by listening to audiobooks & podcasts.

The first step for you may just be to determine that you’ll be all-in in your current coursework. As John C. Maxwell says, “Leaders are readers, and readers are leaders.”

We never stop learning while we’re still living.

2. Live out your faith with intentionality.

The classroom and the campus are the perfect places to live out your faith. Some get tripped up thinking it doesn’t matter what they say or do in class or on the campus. This just isn’t true.

You are always in the spotlight, and you are always on a platform. People are always watching. Authentically live out your faith and be ready to share your faith intelligently.

Small things done well can make a big difference.

You are always in the spotlight, and you are always on a platform. Click To Tweet

3. Build your credibility.

Education is a great platform for building your credibility. In many ways, you’re in a season of preparation. When Jesus taught, people noticed that he taught with authority. Why? Jesus had two undeniable qualities: competence and character.

Competence means that you know your stuff. Character means that you live it out. Use this season to focus on both and your credibility will increase.

4. Challenge yourself and work with excellence.

Here’s what the wisest man that has ever lived said:

“Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men.” ~ King Solomon (Proverbs 22:29)

Be a person that consistently performs with excellence. Excellence is the missing ingredient that makes an average person an exceptional person. When you live out excellence, you grow in influence and separate yourself from the crowd.

Excellence is the missing ingredient that makes an average person an exceptional person. Click To Tweet

Commit to living a life of consistency and continual improvement.

“Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to be better.” – Basketball coach Pat Riley

What do you think? What would you add to this list? Shoot me a note, I’d love to hear what you think.

THE 140:

When you begin to think about honoring God with your mind, education take on a whole new significance. Click To Tweet

This devotional is one in Sugar Hill Church’s First 30 devotional series for college students. To access the entire series & podcasts be sure to check SHC’s site each day, as new ones are added daily. (Because we know you are busy, just click here & save as bookmark.)

Listen to Today’s Devotional

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