How to Let God Write Your Story This Year | Paul Daugherty | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

How to Let God Write Your Story This Year

Victory Church • Jan 5, 2025 • 60 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Pastor Paul Daugherty encourages believers to invite God to write the script of their lives at the start of a new season. Drawing from Genesis 1, he highlights how God brings order out of chaos, light out of darkness, and values progress over perfection. By committing to daily Bible reading, daily prayer, and intentional fasting, believers can sharpen their spiritual edge, guard against distraction, and step into God's purpose for their year.

Themes

Divine Purpose and IdentityGod's Order in ChaosDaily Spiritual DisciplinesFasting and Spiritual SharpnessBeing Led by the SpiritRestoration and Renewal

Pastor's Points

1.

Daily time reading your Bible

2.

Daily time in prayer

3.

Have a set fast of some kind to kick off the year

Key Points

1.
Daily time reading your Bible
2.
Daily time in prayer
3.
Have a set fast of some kind to kick off the year
4.
God specializes in entering chaotic, dark, and empty places, hovering over what is yet to be to bring order and light out of disorder.
5.
God approves of progress over perfection, declaring His creation good before the six days of work were fully completed because His divine DNA lives inside us.
6.
Humanity was intentionally crafted in the image of the Trinity with purpose, identity, and divine potential to reflect God and lead with godly authority.
7.
Fasting starves the flesh and sharpens your spiritual edge, making you more effective and sensitive to God's voice rather than wasting time.
8.
New beginnings and transition periods often attract spiritual distraction and attack, requiring believers to guard their spirits and let God order their steps daily.

Sermon Moments

“If God is not at the beginning of your story, it is not going to be a good story. Here's the good news: you might have started your story without God, but at any moment you can invite God to write a new chapter.”

“God looks at the unfinished you and says, 'You're still good'—not because you are righteous and holy, but because His DNA lives in you.”

“God doesn't make accidents. If He made you, you're not an accident—you are placed on Earth on purpose.”

“When we fast, we are giving our stomach a lecture: 'Stomach, you don't own me. Cravings of the flesh, you are not my master—I am mastered by a higher King.'”

“A dull axe makes for a whole lot more work, but a sharpened axe can chop down way more trees. Taking time to pray, fast, and read the word sharpens your spiritual edge.”

This Week

Commit to daily Bible reading using a structured plan to allow God's truth to shape your mind, attitude, and language throughout the year.

Set aside dedicated quiet time every day for two-way prayer, taking time not only to speak to God but to listen for His direction.

Participate in a personal or church-wide fast to starve the flesh, heighten your spiritual sensitivity, and align your desires with God's will.

Establish intentional spiritual boundaries in your home and daily life by saying no to fear, comparison, and sinful distractions.

Choose to speak words of hope, faith, and life over your family and circumstances instead of giving in to complaint or negative talk.

Guard your spirit during seasons of transition and fresh starts by refusing the enemy's bait of offense, doubt, and pride.

Stay alert and sensitive to the Holy Spirit's daily promptings, looking for practical opportunities to love, serve, and share Christ with others.

Remember This

When you surrender control, invite God to the beginning of your story, and stay aligned through daily scripture, prayer, and fasting, He will order your steps and turn chaos into divine purpose.

A Challenge for You

Hand 2025 over to God like an open book with empty pages, inviting Him to write a story of restoration, healing, and spiritual renewal in your life.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.