Podcast Summary: "Decide to Live Today"
Red Rocks Church Weekend Messages
Date: November 1, 2025
Overview
In this uplifting and practical message, the Red Rocks Church team explores how to “Decide to Live Today.” Centered around Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 and drawing heavily from Pastor Sean’s book Kiss the Fire, the episode addresses the tendency to worry about tomorrow and challenges listeners to embrace gratitude, worship, and purposeful living amidst life’s uncertainties and troubles. With encouragement, humor, and memorable personal anecdotes, the speakers urge the congregation to focus on what is right, trust God with both today and tomorrow, and live with intention and faith no matter the "fires" faced.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. God’s Reminder: You Are Here on Purpose
- (00:03–01:08)
- The host warmly welcomes first-time and returning attendees.
- “God doesn’t do coincidence…It’s no accident that you are here today. So lean in like it’s on purpose.”
- God is speaking directly to each person, regardless of their background.
2. Jesus on Worry: Don’t Let Tomorrow Steal Today
- (01:20–02:42, 08:43–10:32)
- The heart of the message is found in Matthew 6: “Seek the kingdom of God above all else… He will give you everything you need…Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.”
- Worry about tomorrow makes days long and years fast; it prevents truly living today.
- “Worry makes the day so long and it makes the year so fast.” (08:43)
3. Focusing Our Awareness: What Gets Our Attention Shapes Our Life
- (10:32–12:12)
- Both Scripture and science agree: “Energy flows towards your awareness.” (Reticular Activating System filters your world.)
- “Whatever gets your attention also gets your energy.”
- Fear is faith in the wrong ‘what if.’ Start focusing on positive possibilities rather than negative outcomes.
4. Facing Fires: Challenges Bring New ‘What Ifs’
- (12:17–13:23)
- “Every fire is a package deal that comes with a whole set of shiny new what ifs...they steal your peace, joy, and purpose.”
- The decision to live today is both an act of will and faith.
5. Obedience Today, Trust Tomorrow
- (13:27–14:55)
- “Jesus didn’t say, don’t think about tomorrow. He said, don’t worry about tomorrow.”
- The best way to trust God for tomorrow is to obey Him today.
- “Your obedience today is what leads to trusting God’s outcome tomorrow.” (14:30)
6. Life Is Fragile: You Aren’t Promised Tomorrow
- (15:01–18:38)
- James 4:14 emphasized: “Your life is kind of like the morning fog. It’s here for a little while and then it’s gone.”
- Healing and hope are possible, but so is the unexpected. Recounting Pastor Sean’s health struggle serves as perspective.
- “To live is Christ and to die is gain. That’s not just a cliché. It’s truth.” (18:38)
- Memorable, if a bit humorous: “There is not a better way to give the devil a middle finger than by deciding to live today.” (18:55)
7. Perspective: The Bigness of God and the Smallness of Our Troubles
- (21:03–32:31)
- God, who spoke the universe into existence, is both infinitely powerful and intimately aware of your life.
- “Every fire that anybody has ever faced…has taken place on that planet the astronomy world affectionately calls the little blue marble. I’m not trying to minimize your fires. I’m trying to maximize your God.” (30:48)
- The expansiveness of the universe juxtaposed with human problems emphasizes God’s capacity to care for us.
8. Gratitude: The Superpower for Living Today
- (32:34–36:02)
- “Gratitude will get you through any fire this world throws at you.”
- Scientific studies confirm that gratitude is linked to greater happiness and resilience in adversity.
- “The science world is now calling gratitude the fountain of youth for your brain. It is a superpower.” (33:44)
- Personal anecdote: Traffic frustration turns into gratitude after seeing a serious accident, reframing what counts as a “bad day.”
9. Choosing Your Focus: Fix Your Eyes on What Is Right
- (36:02–41:21)
- Paul’s words in Philippians 4:8: "Fix your thoughts… on what is true and honorable and right and pure…"
- There are always troubling things, but there are also countless blessings that deserve our attention.
- “There are so many things that are right in your life…Fix your focus on that.” (40:13)
10. Living Your Priorities: What Matters Most?
- (41:24–43:30)
- Priorities aren’t priorities until you put them first.
- Don’t wait for a crisis to choose to spend quality time with loved ones or to cultivate gratitude.
- Life is short, God is big and good; don’t let worry rob you of today.
11. Call to Action: Accept Today as a Gift
- (43:30–47:22)
- “This is the day that the Lord has made, so we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
- Let go of tomorrow’s worries, embrace today with joy, gratitude, and faith.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Clichés and Parenting:
"The days are long, but the years are short… They grow up so fast." (05:10–05:24) - On Worry:
“Worry makes the day so long and it makes the year so fast.” (08:43) - On Energy and Focus:
“Energy flows towards your awareness…Fear is really just faith in the wrong what if.” (10:16–11:56) - A Challenge:
“Decide to live today. Easier said than done. Of course it is. But there’s a simplicity to it.” (13:23–13:27) - On Your Priorities:
“Your priorities aren’t really your priorities until you prioritize them.” (41:24) - Living as If Tomorrow Isn’t Promised:
“Someday I hope you get the chance to live like you’re gonna get hit by a bus next month. I hope one day you get a chance to live like you could. Because I bet you’d forgive faster and I bet you’d give more generously...hug your kids longer… get your priorities in the right order.” (19:17–19:24) - Gratitude as Superpower:
“Gratitude will get you through any fire this world throws at you… It is a superpower.” (32:34–33:50)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Welcome and setting the theme | 00:03–01:08 | | Matthew 6: Jesus on Worry | 01:20–02:42 | | Clichés, parenting stories, time passing | 03:11–06:54 | | The trap of worry about tomorrow | 08:43–10:32 | | Awareness and the “right what ifs” | 10:32–12:12 | | Fires and their “what ifs” | 12:17–13:23 | | Obedience today, trust tomorrow | 13:27–14:55 | | You are not promised tomorrow | 15:01–18:38 | | Perspective: the greatness of God | 21:03–32:31 | | Gratitude as the “secret superpower” | 32:34–36:02 | | The power of focus and attention | 36:02–41:21 | | Living your priorities | 41:24–43:30 | | Call to decision and prayer | 43:30–47:22 |
Final Encouragements
- Gratitude, worship, and purposeful living are antidotes to fear and worry.
- Don’t wait for a crisis or diagnosis to put your priorities in order or to be thankful for your blessings.
- “Let tomorrow worry about itself. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (47:22)