Bold Faith: Sowing, Reaping, and Confidence in Prayer

Devotional

Day 1: The Spiritual Law of Sowing and Reaping

The principle of sowing and reaping is a profound spiritual law that governs the outcomes of our actions and intentions. When we choose to sow into the Spirit, we align ourselves with God's eternal purposes, leading to a harvest of eternal life. Conversely, sowing into the flesh results in corruption and decay. This principle challenges us to examine our motivations, especially in our giving. Our generosity should be driven by a desire to advance God's kingdom, not merely to receive blessings in return. Even if we receive nothing back, the act of giving itself is a testament to our faith and commitment to God. [03:50]

Galatians 6:8-9 (ESV): "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Reflection: What are some specific ways you can sow into the Spirit today, rather than into the flesh, in your daily interactions and decisions?

Day 2: Boldness Through Identity in Christ

Understanding our identity in Christ is transformative, instilling a boldness that impacts every aspect of our lives. This boldness is not about self-assurance but is deeply rooted in the assurance of our salvation and our relationship with God. Knowing who we are and whose we are empowers us to live confidently and approach God with assurance. This confidence is a humble acknowledgment of our covenant relationship with God, allowing us to live out our faith with courage and conviction. [06:49]

Ephesians 3:12 (ESV): "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him."

Reflection: How does knowing your identity in Christ change the way you approach challenges and opportunities in your life today?

Day 3: Confidence in Prayer

Our prayers should be marked by a deep confidence, knowing that God hears us when we pray according to His will. This confidence is not arrogance but a humble acknowledgment of our covenant relationship with God. When we align our prayers with God's Word, we can be assured that He hears us and will answer our petitions. This understanding encourages us to approach God with boldness, trusting in His faithfulness and His desire to respond to our needs. [13:43]

1 John 5:14-15 (ESV): "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."

Reflection: What specific prayer can you bring before God today, trusting that He hears you and will respond according to His will?

Day 4: Perseverance in Faith

Perseverance is essential in our faith journey, as it demonstrates our trust in God's promises. We are encouraged to continually seek, ask, and knock, knowing that God delights in our persistence. Just as Elisha boldly asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, we too should approach God with confidence, knowing that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. This perseverance is a reflection of our faith and trust in God's character and His promises. [28:54]

James 1:12 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to persevere in faith, trusting in God's promises despite challenges or delays?

Day 5: Bold Requests and God's Response

God delights in our bold requests, as they reflect our faith and confidence in Him. When we approach God with boldness, we acknowledge His power and willingness to act on our behalf. Just as Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, we are encouraged to make bold requests, trusting that God is able to do more than we can imagine. This boldness in asking is a testament to our faith and our understanding of God's character and His desire to bless His children. [31:01]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: What bold request can you bring before God today, trusting in His ability to do more than you can ask or imagine?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth found in Galatians 6:7-10 and 1 John 5:10-15, emphasizing the principles of sowing and reaping, and the boldness that comes from knowing our identity in Christ. We are reminded that God is not mocked, and whatever we sow, we shall also reap. This principle encourages us to sow into the Spirit, which leads to eternal life, rather than sowing into the flesh, which leads to corruption. Our giving should be motivated by a desire to further God's kingdom, not merely to receive blessings in return. Even if we received nothing back, the act of giving itself is a reflection of our faith and commitment to God.

We also delved into the importance of living a bold life, rooted in the assurance of our salvation and identity in Christ. Knowing who we are and whose we are instills a confidence that transforms our lives. This boldness is not just about self-assurance but is deeply connected to our relationship with God. It empowers us to approach God with confidence, knowing that He hears us when we pray according to His will. This confidence is not arrogance but a humble acknowledgment of our covenant relationship with God.

Furthermore, we discussed the necessity of perseverance in our faith journey. Just as Elisha boldly asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, we too are encouraged to ask God with confidence, knowing that He delights in our bold requests. Our prayers should reflect our understanding of God's will, as revealed in His Word. When we pray in alignment with His Word, we can be assured that He hears us and will answer our petitions.

Key Takeaways

1. Sowing and Reaping: The principle of sowing and reaping is a spiritual law that underscores the importance of our actions and intentions. When we sow into the Spirit, we reap eternal life, but sowing into the flesh leads to corruption. Our giving should be motivated by a desire to further God's kingdom, not just to receive blessings. [03:50]
2. Identity in Christ: Knowing who we are in Christ and whose we are brings a boldness that transforms our lives. This confidence is rooted in our assurance of salvation and our relationship with God. It empowers us to live boldly and approach God with confidence. [06:49]
3. Confidence in Prayer: Our prayers should be marked by confidence, knowing that God hears us when we pray according to His will. This confidence is not arrogance but a humble acknowledgment of our covenant relationship with God. [13:43]
4. Perseverance in Faith: We are encouraged to persevere in our faith journey, continually seeking, asking, and knocking. This perseverance is a demonstration of our faith and trust in God's promises. [28:54]
5. Bold Requests: God delights in our bold requests, as they reflect our faith and confidence in Him. Just as Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, we too should approach God with boldness, knowing that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. [31:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:50] - The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
[06:49] - Living a Bold Life
[09:18] - Knowing Your Identity in Christ
[12:01] - Confidence in Prayer
[13:43] - God Hears Our Prayers
[16:30] - Boldness in Asking
[19:20] - Knowing God's Will
[21:39] - Praying in Alignment with God's Word
[25:56] - The Power of the Blood of Jesus
[28:54] - Perseverance in Faith
[31:01] - Bold Requests and God's Response
[35:16] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Sermon Clips

Galatians chapter 6, and verse 7 says, Don't be deceived, for God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. He that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not faint. Or, in other words, we do not give up. [00:00:44]

And so then I trust God to be blessing me in my finance. Giving me wisdom, giving me insight, giving me favor. The wisdom comes in because I'm going to be a good steward. I'm going to take care of my money. And I'm going to make sure that my heart is right towards the Lord and towards the word. So what's that going to mean? That means I'm going to be a giver. That means I'm going to have faith to believe God to prosper me. [00:02:35]

He can get you money himself supernaturally. When the prophet was going through a time of famine, he put him by a brook. He had ravens bring him sustenance. God fed the children of Israel quail and manna. He supplies our needs. [00:03:07]

And God wants us to be blessed because he wants you so blessed that you are able to be a blessing. [00:03:36]

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself. He that believeth not on God hath made him a liar, because he believes not the record that God gave his son. [00:05:24]

Verse 11 says, and this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his son. He that hath the son hath life, and he that hath not the son of God hath not life. [00:05:39]

You ought to underline that and put stars around it. Because when you know, I said when you know, like you know, like you know, like you know, come on, that you are born again, that you have eternal life, your whole life's going to change. [00:06:12]

Come on, you have to come to a place where you know not just who you are, but also whose you are. [00:06:55]

But knowing whose you are, knowing that you belong to God. Hallelujah. That he is not your idea, but you were his idea, and you have been fearfully and wonderfully made. Come on, glory to God. That he wove you together in your mother's womb. [00:08:53]

Come on, and he had a call and a purpose that he ordained on your life. Come on, so once you get a hold of that, you're going to start walking different. You're going to start talking different. You're going to be believing different. Come on, you ain't going to be hiding in a corner somewhere. Come on, no, you're going to come just like we was talking about on Sunday morning. By the blood of Jesus Christ, you're going to have a boldness on your life to come and approach God and say, Lord, I want to know you. Lord, I've got to know about everything that you have for me. Hallelujah. And then when some pesky little devil comes, you're going to say, get out of the way. Hallelujah. [00:09:18]

And this is the confidence that we have in him. That if we ask anything according to his will, he what? He hears us. [00:11:30]

And so it says, and this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, and there, here's the next spot where all the doubters come in. [00:18:28]

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