Empowered Faith: Seeing Beyond and Speaking to Challenges
Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth that God has equipped us with everything we need to face the challenges in our lives. We began by reflecting on the story of Elisha and his servant Gehazi, who were surrounded by an enemy army. Elisha prayed for Gehazi's eyes to be opened, revealing the heavenly army that was with them. This story reminds us that there is more to our circumstances than what we can see with our natural eyes. God has provided us with heavenly resources and protection, just as He did for Elisha.
We then turned to the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4. Despite the disciples' fear, Jesus expected them to exercise their faith and authority to calm the storm themselves. This expectation is not because God is harsh or uncaring, but because He desires us to grow in our faith and authority. Similarly, when Moses faced the Red Sea with the Egyptian army behind him, God instructed him to use what was already in his hand to part the sea. God wants us to realize the authority and power He has already given us.
To step into this authority, we must first recognize our position in Christ. We are seated with Him in heavenly places, and the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us. We must speak to our situations with authority, just as Jesus spoke to the storm and the fig tree. Finally, we must believe that we have received what we ask for in prayer, even if we have not yet seen it in the natural. This requires us to have our spiritual eyes opened to see the reality of God's provision and promises.
In our journey of faith, God is like a loving parent who encourages us to stand up and take action. He has already given us the tools and authority we need. Our role is to step out in faith, speak to our circumstances, and trust in His promises.
Key Takeaways:
1. Spiritual Vision: Just as Elisha prayed for Gehazi's eyes to be opened, we must ask God to open our spiritual eyes to see the resources and protection He has provided. Often, we are limited by our natural sight, but God has so much more for us beyond what we can see. [01:15:20]
2. Authority in Christ: Jesus expected His disciples to calm the storm, demonstrating that He has given us authority over our circumstances. We must recognize our position in Christ and the power that resides within us to speak to and change our situations. [01:20:08]
3. Faith in Action: Like Moses at the Red Sea, we are called to use what God has already placed in our hands. God desires us to act in faith, using the authority He has given us to overcome obstacles and achieve breakthroughs. [01:23:41]
4. Speaking to Situations: Instead of pleading with God to change our circumstances, we should speak directly to them with the authority we have in Christ. Jesus modeled this by rebuking the storm and cursing the fig tree, showing us the power of our words when aligned with faith. [01:28:29]
5. Believing Before Seeing: We must believe that we have received what we ask for in prayer, even if it is not yet visible. This requires a mindset of gratitude and trust, knowing that God has already provided for us in the spiritual realm. [01:28:29]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:01:00] - Introduction and Gratitude
- [00:02:30] - The Story of Elisha and Gehazi
- [00:06:00] - Spiritual Vision and Seeing Beyond the Natural
- [00:10:00] - Jesus Calms the Storm
- [00:15:00] - Authority and Faith in Action
- [00:20:00] - Moses and the Red Sea
- [00:25:00] - Speaking to Our Situations
- [00:30:00] - Believing Before Seeing
- [00:35:00] - Steps to Move Forward in Faith
- [00:40:00] - Realizing Our Position in Christ
- [00:45:00] - The Power of Our Words
- [00:50:00] - Gratitude and Trust in God's Provision
- [00:55:00] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Kings 6:15-17
2. Mark 4:35-41
3. Exodus 14:13-16
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Observation Questions:
1. In the story of Elisha and Gehazi, what did Elisha pray for, and what was revealed to Gehazi as a result? [01:15:20]
2. How did Jesus respond to the storm while on the boat with His disciples, and what was His reaction to their fear? [01:20:08]
3. What was Moses instructed to do at the Red Sea, and how did God expect him to act in that situation? [01:23:41]
4. What common theme can be observed in the stories of Elisha, Jesus, and Moses regarding the challenges they faced?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the story of Elisha and Gehazi teach about the importance of spiritual vision and seeing beyond our natural circumstances? [01:15:20]
2. Why do you think Jesus expected His disciples to calm the storm themselves, and what does this reveal about His expectations for their faith and authority? [01:20:08]
3. How does the interaction between God and Moses at the Red Sea illustrate the concept of using what God has already provided to overcome obstacles? [01:23:41]
4. How can believers today apply the principle of speaking to their situations with authority, as demonstrated by Jesus and Moses?
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a current challenge in your life. How can you ask God to open your spiritual eyes to see the resources and protection He has provided for you? [01:15:20]
2. Think of a situation where you feel powerless. How can you exercise the authority you have in Christ to speak to and change that situation? [01:20:08]
3. Identify a "Red Sea" moment in your life where you feel stuck. What has God already placed in your hands that you can use to move forward? [01:23:41]
4. Consider a time when you have pleaded with God to change your circumstances. How can you shift your approach to speaking directly to the situation with faith and authority? [01:28:29]
5. How can you cultivate a mindset of gratitude and trust, believing that you have received what you ask for in prayer, even if it is not yet visible? [01:28:29]
6. Reflect on your position in Christ. How does knowing you are seated with Him in heavenly places change the way you approach challenges in your life?
7. What specific steps can you take this week to grow in your understanding and application of the authority and power God has given you?
Devotional
Day 1: Seeing Beyond the Natural
In the story of Elisha and Gehazi, we are reminded that our natural sight often limits our understanding of God's provision and protection. Gehazi was initially overwhelmed by the enemy army surrounding them, but Elisha prayed for his eyes to be opened to see the heavenly army that was with them. This narrative illustrates that God has equipped us with spiritual resources that are not always visible to the naked eye. We are encouraged to ask God to open our spiritual eyes, allowing us to perceive the divine support and resources available to us in our daily lives. By doing so, we can face our challenges with confidence, knowing that we are not alone. [01:15:20]
2 Kings 6:16-17 (ESV): "He said, 'Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' Then Elisha prayed and said, 'O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.' So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
Reflection: What situation in your life feels overwhelming right now? Ask God to open your spiritual eyes to see His presence and resources in that situation today.
Day 2: Exercising Authority in Christ
Jesus demonstrated His expectation for His disciples to exercise their faith and authority when He calmed the storm. Despite their fear, He wanted them to realize the power they had been given. This expectation is not a sign of harshness but a call to grow in faith and authority. As believers, we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, and the same power that raised Him from the dead resides in us. Recognizing our position in Christ empowers us to speak to our circumstances with authority, just as Jesus did. [01:20:08]
Ephesians 2:6 (ESV): "And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to exercise the authority you have in Christ? How can you begin to speak to that situation with faith today?
Day 3: Acting in Faith with What We Have
The story of Moses at the Red Sea teaches us about using what God has already placed in our hands. When faced with the seemingly impossible, God instructed Moses to use his staff to part the sea. This act of faith led to a miraculous breakthrough. Similarly, God calls us to act in faith, using the authority and resources He has given us to overcome obstacles. By stepping out in faith, we align ourselves with God's power and purpose, allowing Him to work through us in extraordinary ways. [01:23:41]
Exodus 14:15-16 (ESV): "The Lord said to Moses, 'Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.'"
Reflection: What is one resource or talent God has given you that you can use to address a current challenge? How can you take a step of faith with it today?
Day 4: Speaking to Our Circumstances
Instead of pleading with God to change our circumstances, we are encouraged to speak directly to them with the authority we have in Christ. Jesus modeled this by rebuking the storm and cursing the fig tree, demonstrating the power of words aligned with faith. Our words have the potential to bring about change when they are spoken in faith and in alignment with God's will. By speaking to our situations, we activate the authority given to us and invite God's power to manifest in our lives. [01:28:29]
Mark 11:23 (ESV): "Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him."
Reflection: What situation in your life needs to be addressed with the authority of your words? How can you begin to speak to it with faith and confidence today?
Day 5: Believing Before Seeing
Faith requires us to believe that we have received what we ask for in prayer, even if it is not yet visible. This mindset of gratitude and trust acknowledges that God has already provided for us in the spiritual realm. By believing before seeing, we align ourselves with God's promises and open the door for His provision to manifest in our lives. This act of faith is not passive but involves actively trusting in God's goodness and timing, even when circumstances seem unchanged. [01:28:29]
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Reflection: What is one prayer request you have been waiting to see answered? How can you cultivate a mindset of gratitude and trust, believing that God has already provided for you in the spiritual realm?
Quotes
"Thank you so much for this opportunity To come and be part of what you guys are doing here And just be part of this service Graham says we have two churches And we really do, we just see Limitless As one of our places And it really is like an oasis for us We come here and we just get filled And just, you know, go back and be able to do what we need to do So we're just really thankful for this opportunity So today I don't think I've prayed as much about a message As I've prayed about today's I really felt God pushing me to preach on what we're gonna I'm gonna share about But I was like, I don't know if it's the best thing And I've been backwards and forwards and backwards and forwards But I really do feel that this is what God wants us to To talk about today It's a challenging message But I hope it will be an encouraging one as well" [01:05:31] (70 seconds)
"So, Lord I just pray that you would Open up each one of our eyes That you would help us to see The more that you have for us Help us to understand That you have so much more for us Elijah was a man just like us And yet He had Heaven's Resources At his disposal And so do we And he had Heaven's protection At his disposal And so do we Help us to see The more that you have for us Open up our eyes, Lord" [01:12:03] (44 seconds)
"And he got up And he rebuked the wind And he said to the waves Be still Quiet And the wind died down And it was completely calm And he said to the disciples Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? And they were terrified And asked each other They were more terrified Than the storm They asked each other Who is this? Even the wind And the waves Obey him Okay?" [01:12:24] (38 seconds)
"And maybe that is true. All right? And often, when we're in those situations, we can have that peace that passes understanding. We can know that God is on our side, and he's going to help us. But then there's another level, and this is the level that I feel that God is challenging me and challenging us to realize. And that is that he wanted them to calm the storm. So he wanted them to stand up, rebuke the waves, rebuke the winds, and calm the storm. And isn't it funny how they were terrified because Jesus had done that? But he was expecting them to do the same. He was expecting them to stand up, stand on the authority that they had through him, rebuke the waves, rebuke the winds, take control of that situation." [01:17:45] (63 seconds)
"And Jesus doesn't say, well, that's, you know, I'm the son of God, so that's going to happen. The fig tree has to listen. Okay? He doesn't say that. Okay? This is what he says. He says, have faith in God. Once again, he's saying, seriously, dude, you don't have any faith. He says, have faith in God. Truly, I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in their hearts, but believes that that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." [01:20:06] (41 seconds)
"Then the Lord said to Moses, why are you crying out to me? Okay? So now Moses has spoken these amazing words of faith, but maybe he turned around and went, God, help! Like, what's going to happen? Okay? Maybe he did that. But God says to him, why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff. Stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea. Okay? He was not pleased that Moses was praying and saying, God, help us. He was not." [01:22:31] (48 seconds)
"Because he said, everything I've given you is already in your hand. And you know this. You know where we're going. You know what's going to happen. You know that that's where you need to be. So, stretch out your hand and divide the sea. And this is the thing. God didn't divide the sea. God didn't say, separate. All right? Obviously, he gave Moses the power. But he expected Moses to do it. Pick up your staff. Separate the sea so that the Israelites can walk through. Come on. All right?" [01:23:12] (40 seconds)
"And in the same way, God is saying, there's more. I am not always going to do it for you. Because, not because I don't care. Not because I don't love you. Not because I don't want to pick you up like any mom and dad when they see their child is hurt. You know, how often do we say, come on, you're okay. Up you get. Because we don't want them to wallow in that place. We need them to be up, be strong, growing in all that the world has for them." [01:24:28] (35 seconds)
"And in the same way, that is how God sees us. He looks at us and he says, you can do it. Get up. You stand. You rebuke. You do what needs to happen to see breakthrough in your life. Okay? So, I'm still learning this. And this is one of the reasons I was like, oh, I don't know if I should, you know, be speaking about this. Because I haven't got it all together. And there are times when I am still going, don't you care? Like, hurry up. I still, you know. So, God has been speaking to me about this. But I'm still learning." [01:25:04] (51 seconds)
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