Developing Unwavering Faith Through Life's Challenges

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Life's Challenges with Faith

Description: Life is filled with tests and temptations, but these are not meant to defeat us. James 1:12 teaches that God blesses those who patiently endure these trials, using them to mature us and prove our faith. When we face challenges, it is an opportunity to grow and trust that God has a plan for us. Embracing these moments with faith allows us to see them as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks. Remember, God is with you in every trial, and His blessings await those who endure.

James 1:12 teaches that God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. These trials are not meant to defeat us but to mature us and prove our faith. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and trust that God has a plan for you. [01:51]

1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can you see it as an opportunity for growth and trust in God's plan for you?

Day 2: Forgiveness and Moving Forward

Description: Philippians 3:13 emphasizes the importance of forgetting the past and looking forward to the future. Forgiveness is a crucial part of this process—whether it involves forgiving others, ourselves, or even releasing misplaced blame on God. Holding onto past hurts and mistakes can hinder our spiritual growth and keep us from experiencing the future God has for us. By choosing to forgive and let go, we open the door to new possibilities and align ourselves with God's plan.

Philippians 3:13 emphasizes the importance of forgetting the past and looking forward to the future. Forgiveness is key—whether forgiving others, ourselves, or even releasing misplaced blame on God. Only by closing the door on our past can we move forward into the future God has for us. [03:36]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive or a past hurt you need to let go of? Ask God to help you release it and embrace the new things He is doing in your life.

Day 3: Faith as Agreement with God

Description: Faith is being fully persuaded that what God says will happen. It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Trusting in God's promises means setting our expectations on His word and believing that He has the power to fulfill them. This kind of faith requires us to align our thoughts and actions with God's truth, even when circumstances seem contrary. By agreeing with God, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and see His promises come to fruition.

Faith is being fully persuaded that what God says will happen. It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Trust in God's promises and set your expectations on His word, knowing that He has the power to make it happen. [08:00]

Romans 4:20-21 (ESV): "No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."

Reflection: What is one promise from God that you need to trust in today? How can you align your thoughts and actions with this promise?

Day 4: Learning from Abraham's Journey

Description: Abraham's story shows that even with missteps, God's promises remain. Despite his mistakes, Abraham's faith grew stronger, and he was fully convinced that God could do whatever He promised. This teaches us that our past failures do not disqualify us from God's promises. Instead, they can be stepping stones to a stronger faith. By looking at Abraham's journey, we can be encouraged to trust in God's faithfulness and believe that He will fulfill His promises in our lives, regardless of our past.

Abraham's story shows that even with missteps, God's promises remain. Despite his mistakes, Abraham's faith grew stronger, and he was fully convinced that God could do whatever He promised. This teaches us that our past failures do not disqualify us from God's promises. [12:03]

Genesis 17:1-2 (ESV): "When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a past failure that you feel has held you back. How can you trust in God's promises and move forward in faith, knowing that He can still fulfill His plans for you?

Day 5: Living by Faith Daily

Description: Faith is not just for Sundays; it is a daily walk. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing the word of God. Keeping ourselves in a constant state of hearing God's word allows it to transform our minds and strengthen our faith. Trusting in God's promises and remaining faithful in our daily lives means acknowledging Him in all our ways and relying on His strength. By doing so, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that God is more than able to handle our situations.

Faith is not just for Sundays; it is a daily walk. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing the word of God. Keep yourself in a constant state of hearing God's word, and let it transform your mind. Trust in God's promises and remain faithful, knowing that He is more than able to handle your situation. [27:36]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: How can you incorporate hearing God's word into your daily routine? What steps can you take to ensure that your faith is a daily walk and not just a Sunday experience?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In the second part of our series, "Godly Grit," we explore how to develop an unwavering faith that withstands life's challenges. Life happens to everyone, and without godly grit, we may mistakenly believe that God has abandoned us. James 1:12 reminds us that God blesses those who endure testing and temptation, promising the crown of life to those who love Him. Testing is meant to mature us and prove our faith. Philippians 3:13 teaches us to forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and releasing any misplaced blame on God.

Godly grit is defined as the steadfast resolve to choose God's path and principles, standing firm against worldly pressures. It embodies perseverance, resilience, and reliance on God's strength. Men, in particular, are called to lead their families in faith, building their faith and taking responsibility for spiritual leadership. Faith is described as agreement with God, being fully persuaded that what God says will happen. Hope is the confident expectation of God's promises, rooted in His goodness and faithfulness.

Abraham's story illustrates the journey from faithlessness to being faith-filled. Despite his missteps, God's promise to Abraham never wavered. Abraham's faith grew stronger, and he was fully convinced that God could do whatever He promised. We are encouraged to envision our lives in the state of God's promise, seeing ourselves as God sees us, and acting on His word. Faith requires us to stand the test, remain faithful, and continually hear the word of God.

Faith is not just for Sundays; it is a daily walk. We must trust in the Lord with all our hearts and acknowledge Him in all our ways. On this Father's Day, we are challenged to lead with faith, speaking God's promises over our lives and believing in His miraculous power. God is more than able to handle our situations if we trust Him. Our hope is rising, and we are just getting started, seeing possibilities where we once saw dead ends.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Enduring Testing and Temptation: James 1:12 teaches that God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. These trials are not meant to defeat us but to mature us and prove our faith. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and trust that God has a plan for you. [01:51]
2. Forgiveness and Moving Forward: Philippians 3:13 emphasizes the importance of forgetting the past and looking forward to the future. Forgiveness is key—whether forgiving others, ourselves, or even releasing misplaced blame on God. Only by closing the door on our past can we move forward into the future God has for us. [03:36]
3. Faith as Agreement with God: Faith is being fully persuaded that what God says will happen. It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Trust in God's promises and set your expectations on His word, knowing that He has the power to make it happen. [08:00]
4. Abraham's Journey of Faith: Abraham's story shows that even with missteps, God's promises remain. Despite his mistakes, Abraham's faith grew stronger, and he was fully convinced that God could do whatever He promised. This teaches us that our past failures do not disqualify us from God's promises. [12:03]
5. Living by Faith Daily: Faith is not just for Sundays; it is a daily walk. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing the word of God. Keep yourself in a constant state of hearing God's word, and let it transform your mind. Trust in God's promises and remain faithful, knowing that He is more than able to handle your situation. [27:36]
### [27:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:51] - Enduring Testing and Temptation
[03:36] - Forgiveness and Moving Forward
[05:16] - Definition of Godly Grit
[06:37] - Building Faith and Leading Families
[08:00] - Faith as Agreement with God
[09:29] - Hope and God's Promises
[11:00] - Raising Your Hope
[12:03] - Abraham's Journey of Faith
[13:32] - Faith Overcoming Failures
[15:52] - God's Promises and Human Efforts
[17:16] - Remaining Faithful
[18:52] - Envisioning God's Promises
[20:22] - Acting on God's Word
[21:43] - Standing the Test
[23:06] - Trusting God in Challenges
[24:18] - Seeing God's Goodness
[26:08] - Inner Work and Faithfulness
[27:36] - Hearing the Word of God
[29:07] - Trusting God's Plan
[30:39] - Walking by Faith Daily
[32:06] - Leading with Faith
[34:32] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to James 1:12, what is the reward for those who endure testing and temptation? ([01:51])
In Philippians 3:13, what does Paul emphasize as crucial for moving forward in faith? ([03:36])
How does Hebrews 11:1 define faith, and what are its key components? ([08:00])
What was Abraham's initial response to God's call, and how did it set the trajectory for his faith journey? ([12:03])

Interpretation Questions

How can enduring testing and temptation, as mentioned in James 1:12, mature and prove our faith? ([01:51])
Why is it important to forget the past and look forward to the future, as Paul advises in Philippians 3:13? How does this relate to forgiveness? ([03:36])
What does it mean to have faith as "agreement with God," and how does this shape our expectations and actions? ([08:00])
How does Abraham's journey from faithlessness to being faith-filled illustrate the process of growing in faith despite missteps? ([12:03])

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you respond, and how might you approach it differently with the understanding that testing is meant to mature and prove your faith? ([01:51])
Is there a past hurt or mistake that you need to forgive and release to move forward? How can you take steps to do this in the coming week? ([03:36])
Think about a promise from God that you are holding onto. How can you actively demonstrate your faith in this promise through your daily actions and decisions? ([08:00])
Abraham's faith grew stronger despite his missteps. Identify a past failure that you have allowed to define you. How can you reframe this experience to see it as part of your faith journey? ([12:03])
Faith is described as a daily walk. What practical steps can you take to ensure that you are hearing and acting on God's word every day? ([27:36])
On this Father's Day, how can you lead your family or those around you in faith? What specific actions can you take to build and demonstrate your faith in your household? ([06:37])
Envision your life in the state of God's promise. What specific changes in your mindset and actions are needed to align with this vision? ([18:52])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Because the truth of the matter is life happens to all of us. And if you're not careful, you will get blindsided by life and somehow think that God doesn't love you, God is not with you, God still doesn't have a plan for you. And none of that is true. But if you don't have godly grit, you won't hunker in and be able to make it through when times get tough." (23 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "So hope is my confident expectation, not in my ability, not in my strength, not in my education, not in my social systems or structures that I've built around me. My hope is in God's promises. And his promises are rooted in his goodness and his faithfulness. So if you know you serve a good and faithful God, why do you dread tomorrow?" (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Faith is what makes the invisible things visible. Faith is what takes the things we hope for. And are in its expectation for possible. So let me give you a definition of what hope is. You all know I like, I'm a teacher at heart. So I want to make sure that we understand this. So when we say hope, what do we mean? When we say faith, we know what we mean. Hope is the confident expectation of God's promises rooted in his goodness and faithfulness, providing strength and encouragement in all circumstances." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So Abraham, even though there was no reason to hope, Abraham kept on hoping. He believed that he would become the father of many nations, which is exactly what God called him to be. For God had said to him, that's how many descendants you will have. And Abraham's faith, Abraham's faith, Abraham's faith did not weaken." (27 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When did we stop believing in miracles? When did we stop believing that God could do what nobody else could do? When did we stop believing that God's hand was mighty to save in every situation? Somehow we let the world beat that out of us, but it's time for us to get it back in us. Deep down on the inside, that I can't lose as long as I got God on my side." (27 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "So, rather than blaming the devil who deserves the credit for it, many of us took it out on God. And so, it's time for us to say, God, I release you from accountability and culpability in that situation because you didn't do it. Amen. And once we've closed the door on our past, then we're open to moving forward to the future." (25 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Godly grit is the steadfast resolve to choose God's path and principles, standing firm against worldly pressures. It embodies perseverance, resilience, and reliance on God's strength to overcome challenges and stay committed to one's faith. When I have godly grit, I'm not going to quit. Not because I'm strong enough, not because I'm smart enough. No, no, but because the God I serve, he's on my side." (39 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So what does Abraham do? He gets up. And he goes to where God tells him to go. And that beginning step of faith is what put Abraham on the trajectory to be what we call now the father of our faith. And here's what Paul says about Abraham in the New Testament. Because Abraham had a promise. That's all he started out with is just a promise. And he fell and he succeeded. He had missteps. He missed God. He messed up. But yet God still got him where he was trying to take him." (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You need to get a picture of your life in the state of God's promise. You're looking very much at what's going on in your life. You're looking at the devastation and the destruction of what life has done to you, but you don't have a picture of what your life could be like if God, when God keeps his promise to you. Stop seeing yourself as struggling. Stop seeing your kids as lost. Stop seeing your job as terminal. Stop seeing your health ending up in a casket. Stop seeing your life as wasted." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So we have to get to the point, point number two, where we actually walk by faith. Faith can't be just something we put on Sunday mornings and then take off on Sunday night. No, no, no. I got to live by faith for the just shall live by faith. Fish live by water. Plants live by photosynthesis. Christians live by faith. Humans live by oxygen. Christians live by faith. So I have to build. My faith each and every day." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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