Embracing Faith: The Power of Showing Up

Devotional

Day 1: The Courage to Begin

Showing up is often the hardest part of any journey, yet it is essential for growth and fulfillment. The act of showing up, even when faced with challenges, is a testament to one's commitment to the path set before them. The Apostle Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 serves as a powerful example of this principle. Paul emphasizes the importance of finishing the race and completing the task given by the Lord, illustrating that the goal is not to win but to finish faithfully. This perspective shifts the focus from achieving perfection to embracing perseverance and faithfulness in the tasks God has set before us. By showing up, we open ourselves to the possibilities of growth and transformation that God has in store for us. [59:02]

Acts 20:24 (ESV): "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you have been hesitant to show up? How can you take a step of faith today to begin that journey?

Day 2: Conquering Fear with Faith

Fear can be a significant barrier to fulfilling our potential. It often paralyzes us, preventing us from moving forward in the direction God has called us. However, by trusting in God's promises and focusing on His strength, we can overcome these irrational fears and move forward with confidence. The story of the Jamaican bobsled team from "Cool Runnings" serves as an inspiring example of how determination and faith can lead to unexpected success, even when the odds are against us. By striking down fear, we open ourselves to the possibilities that God has in store for us, allowing His strength to guide us through the challenges we face. [01:12:19]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: Identify a fear that has been holding you back. How can you actively trust in God's promises to overcome this fear today?

Day 3: Perseverance in the Face of Adversity

Life's challenges are not meant to defeat us but to strengthen our faith and resolve. Perseverance in the face of adversity is a testament to our trust in God's plan for our lives. The journey of faith is not always easy, but it is through these trials that we grow and develop a deeper relationship with God. By persevering, we demonstrate our commitment to the path God has set before us, trusting that He will provide the strength and guidance we need to overcome any obstacles. This perseverance is a powerful witness to others, showing them the strength and resilience that comes from a life rooted in faith. [01:09:12]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did you see God working through that situation, and how can you apply that lesson to future challenges?

Day 4: Living a Life of Testimony

We are called to share the good news of God's grace with others, not through grand gestures, but through simple acts of love and kindness that reflect His truth. Living a life of testimony means allowing God's love and grace to shine through our actions, impacting those around us and advancing His kingdom. By doing so, we become vessels of His love, showing others the transformative power of a life rooted in faith. This calling challenges us to be intentional in our interactions, seeking opportunities to demonstrate God's love in tangible ways. [01:13:55]

1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

Reflection: Consider a simple act of kindness you can do today to reflect God's love to someone in your life. How can this act serve as a testimony to His grace?

Day 5: Letting God Work Through Us

By doing our best and trusting in God's power, we allow Him to work through us, showing His glory to the world and impacting those around us. This involves surrendering our own desires and ambitions, allowing God to take the lead in our lives. When we let God show off through us, we become instruments of His love and grace, demonstrating the transformative power of a life surrendered to Him. This requires a willingness to step out in faith, trusting that God will use our efforts for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. [01:24:35]

2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV): "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to let go and allow God to work through you? How can you take a step of faith today to surrender that area to Him?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound power of showing up, striking down fear, and showing out in our lives. We began with a light-hearted reflection on the simplicity and joy found in everyday activities, like quilting and gardening, which remind us of the beauty in God's creation and the importance of not overcomplicating life. This led us to the core theme: the significance of showing up, even when it's challenging. Drawing from personal anecdotes and biblical examples, we delved into how showing up is often the hardest part of any journey, yet it is crucial for growth and fulfillment.

We examined the Apostle Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, where he emphasizes the importance of finishing the race and completing the task given by the Lord. Paul’s journey illustrates that the goal is not to win but to finish faithfully, despite the hardships and fears that may arise. This is a powerful reminder that our lives are not about achieving perfection but about perseverance and faithfulness in the tasks God has set before us.

The message also highlighted the importance of striking down fear, which often holds us back from fulfilling our potential. We discussed how irrational fears can paralyze us, but by trusting in God and His promises, we can overcome these fears and move forward with confidence. The story of the Jamaican bobsled team from "Cool Runnings" served as an inspiring example of how determination and faith can lead to unexpected success, even when the odds are against us.

Finally, we explored the concept of showing out, which means doing our best and letting God work through us. This involves sharing the good news of God's grace with others and living a life that reflects His love and truth. By doing so, we allow God to show off His glory through our lives, impacting those around us and advancing His kingdom.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Showing Up: Showing up is often the hardest part of any journey, but it is essential for growth and fulfillment. Like Paul, we are called to finish the race set before us, not necessarily to win, but to be faithful in our journey. [59:02]
2. Striking Down Fear: Fear can be a significant barrier to fulfilling our potential. By trusting in God's promises and focusing on His strength, we can overcome irrational fears and move forward with confidence. [72:19]
3. The Importance of Perseverance: Life's challenges are not meant to defeat us but to strengthen our faith and resolve. Perseverance in the face of adversity is a testament to our trust in God's plan for our lives. [69:12]
4. Living a Life of Testimony: We are called to share the good news of God's grace with others, not through grand gestures, but through simple acts of love and kindness that reflect His truth. [73:55]
5. Letting God Show Off: By doing our best and trusting in God's power, we allow Him to work through us, showing His glory to the world and impacting those around us. [01:24:35]
** [84:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[51:09] - Embracing Mistakes
[52:31] - Finding Joy in Simplicity
[54:28] - The Challenge of Showing Up
[56:00] - Perseverance in Action
[57:35] - Paul's Farewell and Mission
[59:02] - Finishing the Race
[61:17] - Showing Up in Everyday Life
[63:03] - Facing Fear with Faith
[64:58] - Overcoming Irrational Fears
[67:28] - The Power of Community
[69:12] - Running with Perseverance
[73:55] - Sharing the Good News
[75:27] - Doing Your Best for God
[84:35] - Letting God Show Off

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul emphasize as his main goal in Acts 20:24? How does this relate to the idea of "finishing the race"? [59:02]
In Hebrews 12:1-3, what are believers encouraged to do in order to run the race marked out for them?
How does the sermon illustrate the concept of "showing up" through personal anecdotes? [56:00]
What example from popular culture was used in the sermon to demonstrate overcoming fear and showing out? [01:18:22]

Interpretation Questions

How does Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 reflect the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity? [59:02]
What does it mean to "strike down fear" in the context of the sermon, and how does this relate to the biblical examples provided? [01:12:19]
How can the story of the Jamaican bobsled team from "Cool Runnings" inspire believers to trust in God's strength despite challenges? [01:18:22]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that living a life of testimony involves more than just words? [01:13:55]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when showing up was difficult for you. What motivated you to persevere, and how did it impact your faith journey? [56:00]
Identify a fear that has been holding you back. What steps can you take to trust in God's promises and overcome this fear? [01:12:19]
How can you incorporate the simplicity and joy found in everyday activities, like those mentioned in the sermon, into your daily life to better appreciate God's creation? [53:54]
Consider a situation where you can "show out" by doing your best and letting God work through you. What specific actions can you take this week to live out this principle? [01:15:27]
Think of someone in your life who needs to hear the good news of God's grace. How can you share this message with them through simple acts of love and kindness? [01:13:55]
How can you encourage others in your community to persevere in their faith, especially when facing challenges? [01:09:12]
What practical steps can you take to ensure that you are living a life that reflects God's love and truth, both at home and in your community? [01:01:17]

Sermon Clips

1) "If we just wait God has so much amazing stuff for us. I am so happy to be here today I am probably the only person in my neighborhood who goes outside every day and talks to their passion vine and says, oh, that's beautiful You look beautiful And I tell it every day how beautiful it is Because you know what? It is my ability to just not think about anything else But what God gave us Joy is simple And can we not complicate everything?" [53:28] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "Showing up is hard I am not a morning person I am not a morning person at all Showing up in the morning sometimes is hard But sometimes I do it Because somebody else needs me to do it I can remember a few years ago A friend of mine Maybe I should make her listen Her name is Lisa Smith So I'm going to tell her to listen I talked about her today Convinced me to do this thing called Camp Gladiator And I did it one day and it was hard And it hurt my back" [54:28] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "There is power in showing up And it can be hard Chapter 20 of Acts Now this is about Paul And it's about his last journeys And it's about Paul making a farewell At the end of the chapter Starting in verse 20 And he is talking To the men of Ephesus And he is telling them That he is He is not Going to see them ever again And this is what the scripture says Starting in verse 18 Okay And we're going to read it up there Because this is really tiny So when they arrived He said to them You know how I lived" [57:02] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "We have to be seen In order to share the gospel If you stay at home Or if we only stay in our churches If we only do those things We will never be seen But we have to show up Living a life That exemplary of Christ We've got to show up And not just show up for the world But we do got to show up at our own home We got to show up for Jesus in our own home And sometimes that's hard Boy is that hard sometimes When your children aren't listening" [01:01:17] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "There is nothing going on in this world that can stop us from moving forward but ourselves. Doggone it. Our fear. How many of us fear things? Fear those things? Oh, oh my word. I can make myself so physically sick over things that I know will never happen. Pastor Terry tells me all the time, that's an irrational fear. Irrational fear. Just stop. That doesn't help it. I'm just telling you. I'm going to tell you now in front of everybody, it doesn't help." [01:10:50] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Do not be afraid to move forward. Ask him to continually give you that strength to move forward. You have to strike down that fear. You have to show up and you have to strike down that fear. Verse 24 of Acts says this. It says, however, I consider my life worth nothing to me. My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task that the Lord Jesus has given me. The task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." [01:13:55] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "We have to not just show up, but we have to show, we have to strike down the fear and we have to show out. And that means to do your best. That does. It means show off. Oh boy, we get that a little confused. It's not show up and show off. I could do that anytime, but it's show up and show out. And that is to do the best that God has called us to do. The best that God has called us to do." [01:15:27] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "We show up and God will show off. We show up, we strike down fear. We show out, God shows off. That's how it works. So we don't have to do everything when it comes to those things. Even in our life, we have to convince ourselves. Claire said to me, have you ever heard the word no? Oh, I have heard the word no. It's really hard to say, except for in this context. It is very hard in our lives to push down that fear and to show out and to do our best." [01:19:51] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9) "We have to reach forward and grab toward that prize that God has for us. We have to show out. We have to do our best. Share with other people simply the good news of what he's doing in our life. How easy is that? People always want to ask you, how are you doing? Oh boy, they ask you every day. Did you know when people ask you that, they are asking for your testimony? They don't really care much about really what you're doing. So you give it to them anyways." [01:21:36] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10) "Don't get to the goal and leave somebody behind. Paul says in the scripture, in the, in, Acts, he says, I've preached to you the good things, to every single one of you. And I can live, in the latter part of Acts, he says, I can live knowing that I have taught to each one of you. Don't leave anybody behind. Encourage. Show up. Strike down. And show out. And let God show off." [01:24:35] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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