Behold the New! | Now Faith, the God Factor & Repairing the Altar of Prayer

Devotional

Day 1: God's New Thing Is Unbelievable

A new season is upon us, a season that God is actively working in. It's a season so profound that if it were fully revealed now, it might be difficult to grasp. The challenge is not in God's ability to act, but in our willingness to align our faith with His promises. This requires a conscious choice to believe what He declares, even when circumstances or the world around us suggest otherwise. Embracing this new season means trusting that God's plans are far greater than our current understanding. [00:14]

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: In what area of your life have you been holding onto "former things" or "things of old," and how might God be inviting you to perceive the "new thing" He is doing?

Day 2: The Danger of Unbelief

Jesus Himself marveled at the unbelief He encountered, highlighting how our lack of faith can hinder God's mighty works in our lives and communities. It's a sobering thought that the Creator of the universe might pause in wonder at our inability to trust Him. This isn't about God's power being limited, but about the profound impact our belief or disbelief has on the manifestation of His will. May we not be a source of divine marveling due to our doubt, but rather a testament to His faithfulness through our unwavering trust. [02:41]

Mark 6:5-6 (ESV)
"And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their lack of faith. And he went about among the villages teaching."

Reflection: When have you sensed a disconnect between God's power and the results you see in your life, and how might unbelief be playing a role in that gap?

Day 3: The God Factor: His Intervention

In moments of challenge, when our own strength and understanding fall short, we can lean on the "God factor." This is God's direct intervention, His inserting Himself into our circumstances with His power and wisdom. Just as He made a way in the wilderness for Israel and displayed His might through Moses, He is ready to bring His divine touch to our lives. Recognizing this "God factor" means understanding that our limitations are not His. [07:06]

Exodus 3:14 (ESV)
"God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, 'Say this to the people of Israel: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Reflection: Where do you feel you are trying to navigate a situation in your own strength, and how can you invite the "God factor" to be present and active in that area?

Day 4: Recognizing God's Work Amidst Chaos

When God intervenes and brings about a new season, it often involves confronting the demonic and expressions of evil. This can manifest as chaos or upheaval, but it is not a sign of the enemy's ultimate power. Instead, it is the result of God's presence and His dealing with darkness. Just as Jesus cast out demons and the early church brought a powerful spiritual force into the world, God's work in our lives will bring about His redemptive plan, often accompanied by signs, wonders, and the expansion of His kingdom. [11:44]

Matthew 9:33 (ESV)
"And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, 'It has never been seen like this in Israel.'"

Reflection: When you witness chaos or darkness in the world or in your personal life, how can you shift your focus to recognize God's redemptive work that is also taking place?

Day 5: The Deeper Message: Focusing on the Plan

In discerning God's voice and the unfolding of His plans, it's crucial to look beyond superficial interpretations and focus on the deeper message. Just as John saw a lamb where he expected a lion, our understanding of prophetic words or events should lead us to the core of God's intentions. The true focus is not always on the immediate circumstances or individuals, but on the health and safety of God's overarching plan for His kingdom and for our lives. [35:10]

Revelation 5:5-6 (ESV)
"And one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.' And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain..."

Reflection: When you encounter information or prophetic words that seem alarming or confusing, how can you discern the deeper message and focus on the health of God's plan rather than getting caught up in the immediate details?

Sermon Summary

Isaiah 43 is lifted as the hinge of a new season: a divine promise that God will do a new thing and will make a way through wilderness wandering. The scripture is used to call people out of cynicism and into faith that acts in the present — "now faith" — so that God does not marvel at unbelief but instead counts belief as righteousness. The narrative emphasizes the God factor: the hand and finger of God that interrupts human systems, casts out demonic opposition, and turns attacks into openings for miracles, healing, and expansion. Historical patterns from Exodus, Matthew, Acts, and Revelation are read as paradigms: when the divine presence moves, chaos often erupts first, then supernatural restoration follows.

Prophetic accountability is a major concern. The audience is warned about a lying spirit and urged to test every spirit by root and fruit, not by viral shock value. Longevity, doctrinal coherence, ethical life, and proven prophetic accuracy are presented as the means to discern authentic voices from sensational ones. The real spiritual danger, however, is not merely false words but the erosion of prayer and trust. The concrete call is to rebuild the altar of prayer, to pray for the plan God intends for the nation and for families, and to prioritize intercession over panic or speculative fascination.

Practical theology here is both pastoral and militant: God is portrayed as the Lord of the fight who troubles opposing powers for the sake of deliverance. Believers are called to stop warring against God through unbelief and to align with the Spirit’s disruptive work, expecting that after storms God will bring extraordinary fruit. The closing summons is urgent and hopeful — repair the altar, increase fervent prayer, and stand expectant for the "new thing" God has promised, trusting that God’s purposes for individuals and nations will be fulfilled when faith replaces doubt.

Key Takeaways

1. Belief unlocks the present "now" Faith must be active in the present, not deferred to a distant hope; the biblical "now" is the arena where God’s promises begin to manifest. When belief is present, God’s timing moves from potential to eruption, and people move from wandering to way-making. Choosing to believe reorients perception so that obstacles become stages for the God factor rather than reasons to despair. [04:25]
2. The God factor intervenes supernaturally Scripture points to a decisive, tangible action of God's hand—"finger" and "hand" imagery that interrupts human systems and neutralizes demonic power. This is not a vague spiritual sentiment but a historical pattern: God’s presence produces both disturbance and deliverance. Expect disruption that clears a road for revival, healing, and exponential growth. [08:36]
3. Discern prophets by root and fruit Prophetic words must be judged by longevity, character, doctrine, and consistent fruit rather than novelty or virality. A healthy prophetic ecosystem produces overlapping testimony and accountability; lone sensational claims warrant careful testing. Testing spirits, examining the prophet’s life and track record, and consulting established, righteous voices protect the church from deception. [24:40]
4. Pray for the plan, not panic Focus intercession on God’s larger purposes—the plans that protect families, religious liberty, and national flourishing—more than on personality outcomes. The spiritual battle often targets the strategic agenda; praying for the plan preserves both people and purposes. Rebuilding the altar of prayer shifts attention from rumor and fear to sustained, effective spiritual warfare. [50:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Habakkuk and the new season
[01:42] - When Jesus marveled at unbelief
[04:25] - Isaiah 43: "Behold, I do a new thing"
[07:06] - Wilderness seasons and way-making
[08:36] - The God factor: "I AM" intervenes
[11:44] - Casting out demonic opposition
[24:40] - Prophetic discernment: root and fruit
[35:10] - Pray for the plan, not personalities
[50:52] - Repair the altar of prayer

Bible Study Guide

Here is a Bible study guide based on the sermon summary and transcript:

Bible Reading

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."

Mark 6:5-6 (ESV)
"And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their lack of faith. And he went about among the villages teaching."

Observation questions

The sermon mentions that Jesus "marveled because of their lack of faith" in Mark 6. What does it mean for God, who is all-knowing, to "marvel" at something? [02:41]
The summary highlights Isaiah 43:19, stating, "I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." How does the sermon describe the "God factor" as the force that makes these ways and rivers appear? [07:06]
The sermon warns about a "lying spirit" and the need to "test every spirit by root and fruit." What specific criteria are given for discerning authentic prophetic voices from sensational ones? [21:42]
The summary states, "The real spiritual danger, however, is not merely false words but the erosion of prayer and trust." How does the sermon connect the erosion of prayer and trust to the danger of "lying spirits" and sensationalism? [50:52]

Interpretation questions

The sermon emphasizes that "Belief unlocks the present 'now'" and that "now faith is" (Hebrews 11:1). How does embracing the "now" of faith, rather than deferring hope, change our perception of obstacles and our engagement with God's promises? [06:37]
The "God factor" is described as God's hand and finger interrupting human systems and neutralizing demonic power. How does this tangible intervention differ from a general sense of God's presence, and what does it imply about God's active role in our lives and in the world? [08:36]
The sermon suggests that when God's divine presence moves, "chaos often erupts first, then supernatural restoration follows." Why might chaos be a precursor to God's intervention, and what does this pattern reveal about spiritual warfare? [11:44]
The call to "repair the altar of prayer" is presented as a shift from panic and speculative fascination to sustained, effective spiritual warfare. What does rebuilding the altar of prayer signify in terms of our spiritual posture and our engagement with God's plan? [50:52]

Application questions

The sermon challenges us not to cause God to marvel at our unbelief, but rather to believe Him so that He might marvel at our faith, as He did with Abraham. In what areas of your life are you currently struggling with doubt or unbelief, and how can you actively choose to believe God's promises in those situations? [03:34]
We are encouraged to expect disruption as God's hand intervenes to clear a road for revival, healing, and growth. Can you identify any areas in your life or community where you've experienced disruption, and how might that disruption be a sign of God's "God factor" at work, preparing the way for something new? [08:36]
The sermon stresses the importance of discerning prophetic voices by their "root and fruit," looking at longevity, character, doctrine, and consistent results, rather than just novelty or shock value. How can you practically apply these principles to evaluate the spiritual messages and voices you encounter daily, especially in the age of social media? [24:40]
Instead of focusing on panic or sensational news, the sermon urges us to "pray for the plan, not personalities." What are some of the "plans" God has for our nation, our families, or our communities that you can begin to intercede for more fervently? [35:10]
The message calls us to stop warring against God through unbelief and to align with the Spirit’s disruptive work, expecting extraordinary fruit after storms. When you face difficult circumstances or "storms" in your life, how can you shift your perspective from seeing them as obstacles to seeing them as opportunities for God to bring forth extraordinary fruit through your faith? [55:49]
The sermon emphasizes rebuilding the altar of prayer. What is one concrete step you can take this week to prioritize and strengthen your personal prayer life or your family's prayer life, moving from panic to purposeful intercession? [50:52]

Sermon Clips

40s

“I I said to God, I immediately as I was typing and my fingers were like sizzling, so to speak. I'm exaggerating that. But but I could feel the anointing and I said, God, and I stopped and I said, father, may I not be one of those that you marvel because I don't believe. I want you to marvel in a sense of, hey, that's my boy. He believes me. I account it as righteousness like I did with Abraham. Abraham was called the friend of God because God didn't have to marvel over why he didn't believe. The Bible said he believed and became a friend of God, and it hit me. One of the attributes of being God's friend is you believe him. And I said, God, you called me your friend, so that means I have to believe you.”

79s

“Stop. You heard that. You heard lying. But look at what happens now, the apostle John. And I looked, and I saw in the midst of these elders now, I'm looking for a lion and I see a lamb. Woah. Woah. What I originally heard is not the real message because nowhere did the spirit of God or God himself camp on Jesus at that moment as the lion of Judah. He heard same person, but he saw. And then he said, this is what I'm really trying to show you. In verse six, he sees the lamb who had been slain. He sees Jesus crucified now. And then in verse 12, he still sees the lamb. He sees Jesus as the resurrected lamb. So he sees two parts of this. But he heard lying, and he's looking at a lamb. You heard pray for president Trump. You might have heard, something about an attempt, or he's going to blah blah blah, and you saw him in a in a blah blah blah, and he was put in the blah blah blah for whatever. Hey. That might be true. But is that the real message?”

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Hank and Brenda Kunneman This sermon · AI assistant

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