Empowered by Faith: Embracing God's Presence and Healing

Devotional

Day 1: God Is Able to Do Exceedingly, Abundantly Above All We Ask or Think

God’s power is not limited by our imagination or requests; He is able to do far more than we could ever ask or even think. When you walk in faith, declaring God’s promises and speaking His Word, you invite the supernatural into your natural circumstances. Even when you don’t see immediate results, trust that God is working behind the scenes, ready to manifest His power in your life. The angels of God are present, waiting to move at the sound of His Word spoken through you. Let your faith rise and your voice declare what God has promised, knowing that He is able and willing to do the impossible. [40:16]

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 is one area in your life where you have limited God by your expectations? Can you boldly ask and believe for more today, trusting that He is able to do exceedingly above what you imagine?

Day 2: Now Faith Is the Substance of Things Hoped For

Faith is not just a future hope but a present reality—“now faith is.” Even when you don’t see the answer, faith is the raw material, the substance, of what you are believing for. It is the evidence of things not seen, the assurance that God’s promises are true even before they manifest. Speak faith, act in faith, and let your heart be anchored in the certainty that God is working, even in the unseen. Faith pleases God, and as you walk in it, you open the door for His power to be revealed in your life. [46:14]

Hebrews 11:1,6 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Reflection: What is one promise of God you are hoping for but have not yet seen? How can you act in faith today, trusting that “now faith is” your evidence?

Day 3: The Spirit Who Raised Jesus Dwells in You—You Are Quickened in Christ

The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, giving life to your mortal body and empowering you to walk in victory. You are no longer bound by sin, shame, or condemnation; you are alive in Christ, quickened by His Spirit. Your identity is not defined by your past or by the lies of the enemy, but by the indwelling presence of God. Choose to walk in the Spirit, refusing to let sin have dominion over you, and remember that greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. [01:00:21]

Romans 8:11 (ESV)
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to remember that the Spirit who raised Jesus lives in you? How can you walk in that resurrection power today?

Day 4: You Are Sealed with the Holy Spirit—Your Inheritance Is Secure

When you believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, a guarantee of your inheritance in Christ. The enemy cannot claim you; you belong to God, and His Spirit within you is the down payment that Jesus is coming back for you. No matter what you face, you are marked as God’s own, and the gifts and anointing He has placed in you will rise. Walk in the assurance that you are loved, chosen, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and that your eternal home is secure in Him. [01:21:43]

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV)
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Reflection: How does knowing you are sealed with the Holy Spirit change the way you face challenges or doubts today? What step can you take to live out your secure identity in Christ?

Day 5: Surrender Everything—Let God Heal, Restore, and Manifest His Power

God invites you to surrender your pain, struggles, fears, and failures to Him, trusting that He knows exactly what to do with them. He longs to heal, restore, and manifest His presence in your life, but He asks for your willingness to fall into His arms and let go of what you cannot carry. Don’t let your past or the voices of others keep you bound; Jesus has set you free, and He calls you to walk in that freedom. Today, choose to give Him your whole self—mind, will, emotions, and body—and watch as He brings supernatural restoration and renewal. [01:26:29]

James 4:7-8 (ESV)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Reflection: What is one specific burden, pain, or area of control you need to surrender to God today? Will you take a step of faith and give it to Him, trusting Him to heal and restore you?

Sermon Summary

Today, I shared from a place of deep gratitude and expectancy, reflecting on the journey God has brought me through and the powerful truth that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us. As I walked the grounds, I was reminded of the reality of the spiritual realm—angels present, darkness pushed back, and the blood of Jesus breaking every chain. This is holy ground, and God’s presence is tangible, not just for a select few, but for every believer who calls on His name. The invitation is open: if you are hurting, if you are bound, if you are longing for more, God is ready to meet you right where you are.

The heart of the message is this: God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or think. But He calls us to rise up, to use our voices, to speak His Word in faith, and to expect His power to manifest. Faith is not about what we see or feel; it is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Even when our circumstances seem unchanged, God is at work in the unseen, and our faith activates His dunamis—His mighty power—in our lives.

I shared my own struggles—times of feeling unworthy, battling condemnation, and wrestling with my past. Yet, the truth remains: greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Our identity is not defined by our failures or what others say about us, but by the finished work of Christ. We are dead to sin, alive in Christ, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Living in sin is no longer an option because we have been quickened—made alive—by His Spirit. Our inheritance is not just a future hope, but the very presence of the Holy Spirit within us, assuring us of God’s love and our eternal home in heaven.

God knows our pain, our struggles, and our fears. He invites us to surrender everything—our mind, will, emotions, and body—to Him. He is not looking for perfection, but for a willing vessel. No matter how many times we fall, He is faithful to set us free, to heal, and to restore. The altar is open, and the invitation stands: come, lay down your burdens, and let God manifest His love and power in your life.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of the Blood and the Presence of Angels: The blood of Jesus has broken every curse, every chain, and every work of darkness. When we gather in faith, angels are present, ready to move at the command of God’s Word spoken through us. This is not just a spiritual theory, but a living reality for every believer who stands on holy ground and speaks with authority. [42:35]
2. Faith is the Substance, Not the Feeling: Faith is not about what we see or feel in the moment. It is the raw material—the substance—of what we hope for, the evidence of things not seen. Even when healing or provision hasn’t manifested yet, faith declares it as done, trusting God’s promise above our circumstances. [46:14]
3. Our Identity is in Christ, Not Our Past: The enemy tries to bind us with shame, condemnation, and the memory of our failures, but Jesus has set us free. We must take the initiative to surrender our past, refusing to let it define us, and embrace the truth that we are loved, chosen, and empowered by God. [73:02]
4. Living in Sin is No Longer an Option: Because we have been quickened by the Spirit, sin no longer has dominion over us. We are called to walk in righteousness, not by our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. This is a daily choice to surrender and resist the enemy, knowing that grace empowers true transformation. [78:18]
5. Surrender is the Pathway to Healing and Manifestation: God desires our full surrender—mind, will, emotions, and body. When we fall into His arms and trust Him with our pain, fears, and struggles, He knows exactly what to do. True healing and restoration come not from striving, but from yielding ourselves completely to Him. [85:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[38:51] - Walking the Grounds: Encountering God’s Presence
[40:16] - Drawing Close to God and the Call to the Altar
[41:47] - Angels, Holy Ground, and the Power of the Blood
[43:49] - A Word from God: Speak and See the Supernatural
[44:41] - Authority in Christ: Calling Things into Existence
[46:14] - Now Faith Is: The Substance of Hope
[48:11] - Rising Up in Spiritual Authority
[49:39] - Dunamis Power: God’s Initiative and Our Response
[50:57] - Persevering Through Trials and God’s Faithfulness
[52:43] - Worship, Expectation, and the Manifestation of God
[57:04] - Four Points: Dead No More, Dead to Sin, Inheritance, Heaven
[59:04] - Romans 8: The Spirit Who Raised Jesus Lives in You
[65:10] - Breaking Free from Condemnation and Shame
[73:02] - Surrendering the Past and Walking in Freedom
[78:18] - Grace, Transformation, and No Condemnation
[85:47] - Surrendering All: The Call to Fall into God’s Arms
[88:53] - The Invitation: Come for Healing and Restoration
[91:47] - Closing and Release

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “He Rose, Now You Rise”

Bible Reading

- Romans 8:1, 11
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit... But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
[[59:04]]

- Hebrews 11:1, 6
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen... But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
[[52:43]]

- Ephesians 1:13
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
[[01:18:18]]

Observation Questions

According to Romans 8:11, what does Paul say the Spirit will do for our mortal bodies? [[59:04]]
In Hebrews 11:1, how is faith described? What two things does faith provide? [[52:43]]
What does Ephesians 1:13 say happens to believers after they trust in Christ? [[01:18:18]]
In the sermon, what visible or spiritual realities did the speaker say he experienced while walking the grounds? [[42:35]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Faith is not about what we see or feel; it is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” How does this definition of faith challenge the way people usually approach their problems or prayers? [[46:14]]
The speaker shared about feeling unworthy and condemned, but emphasized that “greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.” How does understanding our identity in Christ help us overcome shame and condemnation? [[01:10:28]]
The message says, “Living in sin is no longer an option because we have been quickened—made alive—by His Spirit.” What does it mean to be “quickened” by the Spirit, and how does that change our daily choices? [[01:18:18]]
The sermon describes surrendering our mind, will, emotions, and body to God as the pathway to healing and restoration. Why do you think surrender is so important for experiencing God’s power? [[01:25:47]]

Application Questions

The speaker described times of feeling unworthy and condemned, even after coming to Christ. Have you ever struggled with feelings of shame or not being “good enough” for God? What helped you move forward, or what could help you now? [[01:05:10]]
The sermon says, “Faith is not about what we see or feel... Even when healing or provision hasn’t manifested yet, faith declares it as done.” Is there an area in your life where you need to trust God’s promise even though you don’t see results yet? What would it look like to speak faith in that situation this week? [[46:14]]
The message challenges us to “rise up, to use our voices, to speak His Word in faith, and to expect His power to manifest.” Is there a specific situation where you need to speak God’s Word or take a step of faith? What’s holding you back? [[49:39]]
The speaker said, “Our identity is not defined by our failures or what others say about us, but by the finished work of Christ.” Are there labels or memories from your past that you need to surrender to Jesus? What would it look like to let Him define you instead? [[01:13:02]]
The sermon says, “Living in sin is no longer an option because we have been quickened—made alive—by His Spirit.” Are there habits or patterns you know you need to surrender? What practical step can you take this week to walk in the Spirit instead of the flesh? [[01:18:18]]
The altar call was described as an open invitation for anyone hurting, bound, or longing for more. If you’re honest, is there a burden or struggle you need to bring to God and let others pray for you about? What’s stopping you from doing that? [[01:28:53]]
The speaker talked about the presence of angels and the power of the blood of Jesus breaking every chain. How does remembering the spiritual reality around us (angels, God’s presence, the power of Jesus’ blood) change the way you approach your daily life and challenges? [[42:35]]

Closing Prayer:
Invite the group to pray for one another, especially for anyone who wants to surrender a burden, step out in faith, or receive healing and restoration. Encourage honest sharing and support.

Sermon Clips

Think about one drop of the blood of Jesus that fell and hit the ground while he was on the cross in an earthquake. Take one drop of the blood of Jesus Christ. Take a small, tiny needle, Shane, and poke yourself. And one bit of blood of Jesus can wipe away anything Satan has against us. When we take communion, I was back there thinking about this. Get ready to drink that blood. And I said, anything and everything, it has to die. [00:42:53] (44 seconds) Edit Clip

But we have to call it into the supernatural realm, into the natural realm. Well, I need a healing. In the name of Jesus, by your stripes, I'm healed. Period. But I don't feel it. Period. Now faith is. See, I'm getting off my message. Or am I? Now faith is the substance, the raw material. Now faith is the substance. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen. [00:45:39] (44 seconds) Edit Clip

God wants us, the body of Christ, to rise up in the authority that he called us to live in. I keep sensing, Shane, in my spirit that God wants to take us to another level. God wants us to rise up. God wants us to go higher. He rose, now you rise. Now I have to take the initiative to say, God, I'm tired of being over here. I'm tired of not doing what you called me to do. I'm tired of struggling. So by faith, I'm going to rise. [00:48:56] (49 seconds) Edit Clip

And then when I rise, and I use my faith, then God manifests his dunamis. God manifests his power. God manifests his dino might, right? What's the word, Greek word? Dunamis. Dunamis. I was a Greek scholar. Dunamis. Dino mo. Dino might. God wants you to take the initiative. God wants you to rise up. God wants to use your voice. God wants to use your mouth. Don't be afraid or intimidated. Because you're just as much important as I am. As Craig is. You're important. And God wants to use your voice. [00:49:39] (55 seconds) Edit Clip

But I refuse to back off from studying. Somebody invited me over to a hotel where they were staying at. And I went there. And in spite of the tears, I've cried. And trust me, I cried. Leaving my mama's stuff in that home made me cry. And I tell you, every, oh, my God, Jesus never left my side. In spite of what I went through, Jesus was always there. I cried. And he hugged me. And he crushed me. And he kissed me. And he loved me. [00:51:29] (42 seconds) Edit Clip

But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also, I like the word shall because we know what that means. That's a promise. Also quicken your mortal body by his spirit that dwelleth in you. When Shane said, we don't die. He was right on. I'm eternal. This old body may get old and I may get bald and I may get gray hair like, like, uh, Mark, but I'm telling you something. I shall not die. [00:59:26] (53 seconds) Edit Clip

How many here knows the Bible talks about your mind, your will, your emotions, your body, your spirit. They all don't belong to sin. They belong to Jesus Christ. And I make a choice that I refuse to live in sin any longer. Sin will not dominate me. Sin will not have control over me. I choose to walk in righteousness. I choose to walk in the [01:00:06] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

And God said some of our past, the enemy, we allowed him to put a straitjacket on us where we can't move. When we and hope God, excuse me, Satan says you're no good, but God says you are. And I had this, I saw it. Somebody came behind me and loosened the straps. And as they loosened it, I began to take the straitjacket off. Because God says, you need to take the initiative. He that the sun sets free is free indeed, but sometimes we got to do some things. [01:11:31] (49 seconds) Edit Clip