Awake in Faith: Embracing God's Restoration and Victory

Devotional

Day 1: Stand Firm Against Deception and Do Not Be Troubled

In a world filled with chaos, unrest, and deception, Jesus calls His followers to remain unshaken and not let their hearts be troubled. Even as we witness turmoil and hear of wars and rumors of wars, we are reminded that these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Our foundation is Christ and His teachings, and when we build our lives on His words, we can withstand any storm. No matter what images or reports try to grip your heart with fear, remember that you have a destiny and a purpose to fulfill. Let your heart be settled in Christ, and refuse to let anxiety or fear take root. [07:44]

Matthew 24:4-6 (ESV)
And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.”

Reflection: What is one troubling news story or situation that has unsettled your heart recently? How can you intentionally bring it before Jesus today and choose to rest in His peace instead of fear?

Day 2: Awaken to Your Purpose and Redeem the Time

As believers, we are called not to be spiritually asleep or passive, but to be awake and alert to the times we live in. The days are evil, but God has given us a job to do—there is still a harvest, and we are called to be laborers in His field. Instead of being swept up in the confusion and bitterness of the world, we are to rise up, redeem the time, and live out our God-given purpose. Now is the hour for the people of God to be truly awake, not just “woke,” and to shine as those who have a covenant with God and the life of Christ within them. [10:15]

Ephesians 5:14-16 (ESV)
For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been spiritually “asleep” or passive? What is one step you can take today to wake up and actively pursue God’s purpose for you?

Day 3: Live with the Spirit and Attitude of Faith

Faith is not passive or defensive; it is bold, aggressive, and ready to take ground for God. Like Jonathan and his armor bearer, and like David facing Goliath, we are called to recognize our covenant with God and move forward with confidence, even when the odds seem stacked against us. The spirit of faith declares the outcome before it is seen and is willing to climb, fight, and trust God for victory. When you face opposition, don’t shrink back—stand up, speak out, and move forward, knowing that nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few. [15:58]

1 Samuel 14:6 (ESV)
Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to shift from a defensive posture to an attitude of faith? What is one bold action you can take today to trust God and move forward?

Day 4: Use Your God-Given Weapons to Overcome

God has not left His people defenseless; He has given us powerful spiritual weapons to overcome the enemy and every stronghold that tries to rise against us. We are equipped with weapons of righteousness in both hands—truth, faith, and the power of God. Instead of feeling helpless in the face of a world gone haywire, we are called to stand up, speak truth, and actively pull down strongholds. The victory is not just in surviving, but in advancing and setting others free through the truth of the gospel. [28:29]

2 Corinthians 6:7 (ESV)
By truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left.

Reflection: What “weapon of righteousness” do you need to pick up and use today—truth, prayer, faith, or another? How can you actively use it to confront a challenge or stronghold in your life or someone else’s?

Day 5: God Restores and Turns the Enemy’s Plans for Good

No matter what the enemy has tried to steal or destroy in your life, God is a restorer. When God restores, it is always with greater quality and quantity than before. Like David, who ran at Goliath and used the enemy’s own sword for victory, God can turn what was meant for evil into good. The very things that were meant to take you out can become the testimony of God’s faithfulness and power in your life. Stand up, shake yourself, and declare that you have the weapons necessary to overcome—God will restore, and He will cause you to get ahead in life. [27:48]

Joel 2:25-26 (ESV)
I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need God’s restoration? How can you declare His promise and trust Him to turn the enemy’s plans for your good today?

Sermon Summary

In a world filled with chaos, deception, and unrest, it is vital to remember that God is a restorer—He not only brings back what the enemy has stolen, but He does so with greater quality and quantity. As believers, we are not called to shrink back in fear or confusion when we see turmoil in our nation or around the world. Instead, we are to stand firm on the foundation of Christ and His teachings, knowing that our purpose and destiny remain intact regardless of the circumstances. Jesus Himself warned of times of deception, wars, and unrest, but He also commanded us, “See that you be not troubled.” Our hearts must remain settled, anchored in the truth that we have a covenant with God and a job to do in these last days.

The call is not to be “woke” in the sense of the world, but to be truly awake—alert to the times, redeeming every moment, and living out our God-given purpose. The days may be evil, but the opportunity for the church is great. We are not to hide or simply play defense, but to take an offensive posture in faith. Like Jonathan and his armor bearer, or David facing Goliath, there is an aggression and boldness in faith that refuses to let the enemy dictate the terms. We are equipped with spiritual weapons—truth, righteousness, and the power of God—to pull down strongholds and advance the Kingdom.

Faith is not passive; it declares the outcome before it is seen and charges into battle, confident in God’s promises. Even when opposition arises, as it did for the disciples in the storm or the Israelites facing giants, the challenge is to keep our faith in God’s word, not in the enemy’s ability to harm us. The spirit of faith says, “We are well able,” and moves forward, knowing that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. The victory is ours, not by retreating, but by standing, speaking, and acting in faith, using the weapons God has given us to overcome every challenge and fulfill our calling.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s restoration always exceeds what was lost. When God restores, He does not merely return things to their former state; He brings increase, improvement, and blessing beyond what was taken. This truth should anchor our hope, especially when we feel robbed by circumstances or the enemy. Expect God’s restoration to be marked by His abundance and goodness. [00:34]
2. In times of deception and unrest, believers must guard their hearts from fear and remain anchored in Christ. Jesus warned that deception would be widespread, but He also commanded us not to be troubled. Our security is not in the stability of the world, but in the unshakable foundation of Christ and His word. Let your heart be settled, knowing your destiny is secure in Him. [07:44]
3. The church is called to be awake, not just aware. Ephesians 5 urges us to “awake” and redeem the time, recognizing that the days are evil but the opportunity for impact is great. Being awake means living intentionally, seizing every moment for God’s purposes, and refusing to be lulled into complacency by the chaos around us. This is a call to spiritual alertness and action. [10:15]
4. Faith is both defensive and offensive; it is not content to merely withstand attack but seeks to advance and reclaim territory. Jonathan’s boldness in 1 Samuel 14 and David’s aggression against Goliath illustrate a faith that confronts the enemy head-on. True faith declares victory before it is seen and acts with confidence, knowing God is able to save by many or by few. [15:58]
5. We are equipped with spiritual weapons that are mighty through God for pulling down strongholds. Paul reminds us that our weapons are not carnal but powerful, and we are to use them not only for personal victory but to set others free. In a world that seems to be going haywire, we are not helpless; we have the authority and power to bring truth, freedom, and transformation wherever we go. [29:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:34] - God’s Restoration: Better Than Before
[01:15] - Introducing Pastor Andy Stump
[02:31] - Family, Ministry, and Missions
[03:52] - Reflections on Church Community
[04:27] - Responding to Chaos in the World
[05:11] - The Power of God’s Word and Faith
[06:26] - Mass Deception and Jesus’ Warning
[07:44] - Guarding Your Heart from Fear
[08:58] - Standing Firm on Christ the Rock
[10:15] - Awake, Not Woke: Redeeming the Time
[12:46] - Our Covenant and Purpose in Troubled Times
[14:05] - Jonathan’s Aggressive Faith
[15:58] - The Fight of Faith: Offensive Posture
[19:09] - Lessons from Israel’s Journey and the Disciples’ Storm
[22:49] - Joshua, Caleb, and the Spirit of Faith
[24:46] - David and Goliath: Boldness in Battle
[28:29] - Weapons of Righteousness: Double-Barreled Faith
[29:10] - Pulling Down Strongholds and Living in Victory

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 24:4-6 — Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”

- Ephesians 5:14-16
“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

- 1 Samuel 14:6-13
(Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”)

Observation Questions

In Matthew 24, what does Jesus warn his followers about, and what command does He give them in the face of troubling news? [07:44]
According to Ephesians 5, what does it mean to be “awake” and to “redeem the time”? [10:15]
In the story of Jonathan and his armor bearer (1 Samuel 14), what was Jonathan’s attitude toward the enemy, and how did he show faith in God’s ability? [15:58]
The sermon mentions that God’s restoration is always better than what was lost. What examples from the Bible or the sermon support this idea? [00:34]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus tells His followers not to be troubled, even when there is chaos and deception in the world? What does this reveal about the foundation of our faith? [07:44]
The sermon contrasts being “woke” in the world’s sense with being “awake” spiritually. What is the difference, and why is it important for believers to be spiritually alert rather than just culturally aware? [10:15]
Jonathan’s approach to the Philistine outpost was bold and aggressive. What does this teach us about the kind of faith God wants us to have when facing challenges? [15:58]
The sermon says that faith is both defensive and offensive. How can believers move from just “surviving” spiritually to actually advancing and reclaiming what the enemy has taken? [22:12]

Application Questions

When you see troubling news or chaos in the world, what is your first reaction? Do you tend to feel fear, anger, or hope? How can you practice Jesus’ command to “see that you are not troubled” in your daily life? [07:44]
The sermon says we are called to be “awake, not just aware.” What is one area of your life where you have been spiritually asleep or complacent? What practical step can you take this week to “redeem the time” and live more intentionally for God? [10:15]
Think about a situation where you have felt like something was stolen from you—maybe peace, joy, or an opportunity. How can you begin to expect and pray for God’s restoration, believing it will be better than before? [00:34]
Jonathan and David both ran toward their battles instead of away from them. Is there a challenge or “giant” in your life right now that you have been avoiding? What would it look like to face it with bold faith, trusting God to give you victory? [15:58]
The sermon talks about using spiritual weapons to pull down strongholds. What are some “strongholds” (habits, thoughts, fears) in your life or in your family that you need to confront? What is one step you can take to start fighting these with God’s truth? [29:10]
The world often tries to define our purpose and identity. How can you remind yourself this week that your destiny is secure in Christ, no matter what is happening around you? [09:37]
The message says the church’s opportunity is great, even in evil days. What is one way you can be a light or bring hope to someone in your community this week? [10:15]

Sermon Clips

Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God and so when the word goes out faith rises up amen and if you're going to make it in these times we going to need to live by faith amen have that spirit of faith right and so I think a broadcast like this is great it's a great source of encouragement and really we want it to be kind of like a jump starter for people to live out their uh God-given purpose uh to come to Christ to know him for who he really is and see how that will change their whole life. [00:05:29] #FaithRisesByTheWord

So many places in America and in the world in the politics in the the culture so much deception so many lies so many untruths trying to seize take hold uh of people but he says this he says for many shall come in my name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many and he says "You'll hear of things like wars and rumors of wars." But I underline this and I encourage you at home or if you're able to do this if you're at home if you're driving maybe uh wait till you get stopped but you ought to underline that verse that part in your verse in verse six put stars around it says "See that you be not troubled." Amen because you know you see images of people right marching in American city their gas masks on their bandanas you can't see their face their scarves covering their face they're throwing bricks uh at cop cars and burning stuff you know having a peaceful protest and you know it's deception. [00:07:06] #DiscernDeceptionStayPeaceful

The deal is is that we have to be settled we're settled on that foundation of Amen christ and his teachings amen right amen because Jesus said "If you hear these things of mine and do them I'll liken you unto a wise man." Right who built his house on a firm foundation build his house on the rock yes and so when the winds the rains when the storm comes and beats on that thing it will keep standing right yes and so he says here um "See that you be not troubled for all these things must come to pass but the end is not yet." [00:08:44] #BuiltOnTheRockUnshaken

And so if the end is not yet that means that I still have life to live right i still have a destiny and a purpose right to fulfill come on so even though I see this stuff happening as a believer as a Christian I cannot allow my heart to be troubled i still have a purpose i still have a destiny and so really you know some of the stuff that we talked about that you pointed out and I'm going to let you start talking about that is that you know uh we are the people of God amen we have a covenant with God right and so. [00:09:25] #PurposeBeyondTheStorm

Really what ought to be happening in this hour right now is that if you have all the woke deceived people hitting the streets well the body of Christ needs to be a bunch of awake people amen not woke but awake amen like Ephesians chapter 5 tells us yes the Apostle Paul wrote the letter of Ephesus not to unbelievers he wrote that to the church at Ephesus yes and he said "Awake thou that sleepest." Amen arise from the dead and Christ will give you life praise the Lord you know redeem the time yes for the days are evil the night is far spent the day is at hand so we got to redeem the time that we have the end of the end is not yet here amen we are in the end times but that means we have a job to do. [00:10:04] #AwakeNotWokeRedeemTheTime

You see all that pandemonium you see all that chaos you see all those people that are totally lost in absolute violent deception, aggression given over to offense given over to bitterness right and you see that on the left side of the aisle you can see on the right side of the aisle come on i I feel like there's like an old rock and roll song i don't know i was broke into some song earlier and I'm like I don't even know what song this is i don't know who sings that but I got another one right i got jokers to the left clowns to the right here I am stuck in the middle with you right but listen you got clowns on the left you got jokers on the right we need to be in the middle with the Lord Jesus Christ amen amen be right there looking to liveise uh our life out amen right and so the people of God need to wake up in this hour and realize we have a covenant with God amen we have the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:11:17] #MiddleGroundWithChrist

I think what's interesting and also while I'm talking jump in okay it's fine with me all right you you cut me off i'll say "Hey wait a second i got something to say." Go ahead go for it brother so I've grown up in church and grown up in Pentecostal church and I don't know what it is about churches that when they talk about the Lord's return or the end of the age you start to get defensive and kind of crawling into your shell no I like it yeah and instead just like you were saying we got a covenant with God there's still work to do there's still a harvest when you look at the judgments being poured out in the book of Revelation at the end of each judgment it said still they did not repent meaning what god's still looking for somebody to repent up until the very end so we still have a job to do. [00:12:35] #CovenantCallsForAction

A lot of times looking at the culture and how it degenerates and deteriorates it's very active, politically growing up you say "Well everything's going to hell in a hand basket everything's sliding." And so then everything is confirmation bias of how bad everything is instead of no we're the people of God we've got a covenant and instead of the devil taking stuff to us we should take stuff to the devil cuz we're still here i like that we got a covenant praise the Lord amen so you got to play defense defense wins championships but you know something you also got to score to win the game right and so there's something to be said for being on the offensive yes morning getting up and going yes yes. [00:13:23] #OffenseWinsWithFaith

There's an aggression and an attitude in faith that doesn't whine, doesn't sit back and let stuff happen to you well if you get to whining too long as he points out when he kind of talked about that sometimes it's like when he went coyote hunting right and so you go coyote hunting you're giving out the wounded rabbit whining crying complaining and that's going to draw right the predator to you yes yes well so they're in the middle of a fight with the Philistines and Jonathan's just by himself with his armor bearer they come across an outpost of Philistines that apparently is on some high ground uhhuh and it's not just a hill but it it took it took some hand and feet climbing yeah to get up there. [00:14:26] #FaithThatDeclaresVictory

Jonathan says to his armor bearer this is the Andy version sure you want to have some fun he says "Let's talk to those uh Philistines and uh see what the Lord would do." Cuz that's the enemy you want to have some fun let's go poke at him right come on you know the devil probably enjoys messing with you at some point you want to turn it around and say "You know what i'm gonna smoke your hide because I'm not some weak defeated little wounded critter right?" Come on the greater one the lion of the tribe of Judah lives on the inside of me yes amen amen. [00:15:15] #ChosenPathThroughTheWilderness

So he says "Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf nothing can hinder the Lord from saving whether by many or a few." His armor bearer says "Do all that you have in mind go ahead i'm with you heart and soul jonathan said "Come on then we'll cross over toward them and let them see us." Then he puts out a fleece kind of like Gideon all right Lord if this is really your will we want you to do something for us to let us know that it's your will but to me it feels like it's flipped like this was not the order that I would have looked at in terms of looking for a fleece. [00:16:17] #WhereIsYourFaithChallenge

With faith it declares the outcome pastor Mark says it declares the outcome before Yeah before you see it before you see it so he says uh the Lord has given them into our hand, climb up after me they're ours woo nothing's happened to You know what comes to uh my mind as you were talking and sharing this is uh you know when the Lord brought the children of Israel out of Egypt there was right an easier path right closer towards the Mediterranean you know could have been coconuts and palm trees so to speak you know nice nice beachfront stroll to the promised land yeah but instead the Bible says he took them through the wilderness so that when they saw war they would not turn around and go back right. [00:19:01] #GreaterIsHeWithinUs

Here you got these 12 guys literally they're pretty much just living with Jesus they are around him constantly and he gave them a direct word we're going to the other side and he's in the boat with them and opposition showed up a storm blew in right and so they cry out "Master master we perish." And so you know you would think like people be like "Oh you know they're crying out to Jesus jesus going to get up you gonna give him a hug tell him it's gonna be all right but really he looked at him and got on their case he did you know what I'm saying he's like "Where is your faith?" Yes and then he spoke to that storm told her "Peace be still." And calmed it down but he looked at him he's like you know he didn't say like "Good thing you woke me up from my nap." [00:20:34] #FaithTakesBackTheLand

He said "We're going to the other side i know that so much you guys got it from here i'm going to take a nap." Yep and so he challenges them he said "Where is your faith?" And in this case he didn't tell them "You faithless and perverse generation like he had in some other instances." He questioned "Where is your faith?" He wasn't telling them "You don't have faith but their belief was not in the Lord Jesus Christ and what he said but their faith got into the storm's ability to kill them to hinder them to take them out." Right and so that's kind of the challenge you see you see these things these wars rumors of wars pestilences diseases famines different things coming on the earth right and so some of those things begin to give you that push back to try to get you to not believe in God but to believe in the ability of the enemy to take you out and to derail you and so it starts backing you up yes uh into more like a defensive posture on but we also need to be having an offensive posture realizing that the the battles are going to come the opposition is going to come come on but greater Yes greater is he that's in us than he that is in this world come on. [00:21:16] #DavidicFaithConquersGiants

We know also that what that we have victory yes uh over the world over the devil and this is the victory even our faith praise the Lord so we got to take faith and charge at the enemy push him off of territory that he's taking from us because when the children of Israel did get to the promised land they had what my pastor called squatters on the promise there were those giants in the land right but what Joshua and Caleb the Bible says was of a different spirit what spirit was that the spirit of faith the attitude of faith they said we were well able the other Tim was like "We in trouble cuz we in our own sight were as grasshoppers." But Joshua and Caleb said "We are there though there be giants in the land." Yes we are well able amen to go in and possess amen. [00:22:33] #FiveStonesOfGrace

When that giant came out and was hurling insults yes at God's people yes he showed up and he was like you know uh bros dad sent me with some cheese sandwiches out here for y'all uh by the way who's this uncircumcised Philistine talking trash right that who is he that he should defy the armies of the most high you know he sounds hacked off to me he's mad he's upset this shouldn't be happening exactly and so we kind you know if you've been around the Bible at all heard any Bible teaching or instruction at all you know long story short uh David is the one that steps up and says "If ain't none of y'all going to do something about this I'll kill him." you know and so he goes out there and we know that Goliath talked major trash which you know that's fine and good but uh the armies of Israel were taking it until David showed up a man full of faith uh and uh got out there and talked back to Goliath that's why my favorite types of players I know we've talked about this and I don't think you like Kobe as much as me but you do agree with me on Michael Jordan you know that he was great right and uh but both of those guys were trash talkers both of those guys were aggressive people we're not talking about LeBron James right chilling and laying back and give me some more help we'll do something no they're they're aggressive i would we would get this done right and so David steps up and he gets out there you know and he's like I don't come out here with a sword and a spear but I'm coming to you in the name of the Lord God right and uh man so we know that that David got those uh five smooth stones and was instructed to go get those and he came back and he's ready to go and uh so I like this i really think this is something Pastor Mark pointed out for the first time i I had read that about the five stones and I was praying one time and I don't know I was probably like 16 17 years old and I was praying and seeking the Lord about that and like well five why did he give five stones and so you know I'm not big into like pneumatology or numerology or whatever you want to call that bringing the numbers out and what's that mean but I was like oh five five that's a number of grace so this is the favor of God right praise God but then I like what Pastor Martin preached a year or two ago i like boy I about jumped up and took a bite out of the chair in front of me when he said this he's saying you know he got them five smooth stones because Goliath had brothers yes and so the statement here is you know devil I kill you and your whole family yes praise God do not mess with me so I don't know i don't know what's been coming against you lately come on but you need to just shake yourself amen stand up amen right and put the devil on the run and say "Devil I kill you in your own family you I I know I've got the weapons necessary to overcome you." [00:24:46] #TurnTheEnemyAgainstItself

Like David he ran at Goliath told him what he was going to do killed him took his own sword well I like that where you really start turning it around on the enemy yes or what what the enemy thought was going to take you out what he meant for evil yeah the Lord will help us and turn this praise God cause it to work for our good i like it when the things turn around on the enemy and backfire on the enemy and he took his sword and chopped off his head and I heard Jesse Dean say one time he grabbed that thing went back to town and showed everybody how to get ahead in life that's what we're doing here today on the broadcast trying to show everybody how to get ahead in Praise God life. [00:27:48] #WeaponsOfRighteousnessDoubleBarrel

Paul says in truthful speech and in the power of God praise the Lord with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left, you can either go martial arts with that twirling num chucks you can do uh if you're a cowboy guy and you like tombstone you got the six shooters you are you got stuff in both hands well somebody somebody you say that you say that it's tombstone man it's dark holiday kind of stuff somebody needs to stand up to the devil and say "I'm your right here." Amen amen amen we're going to knock you out right glory to God and then he says later in chapter 10 and that's the one most people are familiar with the weapons we have are mighty and powerful to the pulling down of strongholds yeah and you know I I believe that we're supposed to employ that on ourselves but Paul's really talking about employing that on other people when he's preaching the gospel so instead of feeling helpless in the face of society going haywire right no it ain't going haywire on me right i've got weapons of righteousness that pull down strongholds both hands both hands double barrel glory to God. [00:28:38] #TruthSetsYouFree

We can too we preach victory we preach truth yes right amen come on jesus said "You will know the truth and the truth shall make you free you'll get free from that troubling that anxiety that anxiousness that fear that tries to come against you that tries to grip your life grip your heart amen." Right and so you'll get free come on and you'll be able to do all that God has called you to do praise God. [00:30:00] #WeaponsOfRighteousness

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