Faith in Action: Embracing God's Presence Together

Devotional

Day 1: God Welcomes Us As We Are

Regardless of our emotional state or circumstances, God is pleased with our presence. He longs to speak into our lives and draw us closer to Him. This is a comforting reminder that we don't need to have everything figured out to come before God. Whether we are joyful, sorrowful, anxious, or at peace, God welcomes us with open arms. He desires a relationship with us and is always ready to meet us where we are. This truth can bring immense comfort and peace, knowing that we are accepted and loved by our Creator.

[0:00]

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: What emotions or circumstances are you currently facing that you need to bring before God? How can you remind yourself today that God welcomes you just as you are?

Day 2: Faith in Action

The story of David and Goliath teaches us that inaction can be a sign of a lack of faith. David's willingness to face Goliath was driven by his desire to honor God, not by the rewards promised. This challenges us to examine whether our actions reflect our faith in God's power. Are we stepping out in faith, trusting that God will provide and protect, or are we holding back due to fear or doubt? David's example encourages us to take bold steps of faith, knowing that God is with us and will guide us.

[21:17]

James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to take action? How can you step out in faith today, trusting in God's power and provision?

Day 3: Confession and Reflection

We are encouraged to bring not only our sins but also our inactions before God. Our lives should reflect that we serve a powerful and amazing God. This involves confessing our failures and seeking God's strength to move forward in faith. By acknowledging our shortcomings and asking for God's forgiveness, we open ourselves to His transformative power. This process of confession and reflection helps us grow spiritually and align our lives more closely with God's will.

[22:32]

1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on any inactions or sins that you need to confess to God. How can you seek His strength to move forward in faith and live a life that honors Him?

Day 4: Community and Support

Finding a church home where we can be spiritually fed and encouraged is crucial. It's not about finding a perfect church but about being part of a community that speaks truth and helps us grow in our relationship with Christ. Being in a supportive community allows us to share our burdens, celebrate our victories, and grow together in faith. It is within this community that we find encouragement, accountability, and a sense of belonging.

[09:25]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can you actively engage with your church community this week? What steps can you take to build deeper connections and support others in their faith journey?

Day 5: Prayer and Intercession

We lifted up various needs within our church community, including those who are grieving, healing, or facing health challenges. We also prayed for our country and its leadership, especially during this election season. This underscores the importance of intercessory prayer and supporting one another in our faith journeys. Through prayer, we can bring our concerns and the needs of others before God, trusting that He hears and answers our prayers.

[01:01:14]

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

Reflection: Who in your life or community needs prayer today? Take a moment to pray for them and consider reaching out to offer your support and encouragement.

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Living Word! Today, we gathered with a reminder that God is pleased with our presence, regardless of our emotions or circumstances. We welcomed Jacob Johnson and his family as our new worship leader and prayed for Carly Holmberg, who will be starting her role in children's ministry. We also discussed the importance of finding a church home where one can be spiritually fed and encouraged.

Our focus today was on the story of David and Goliath, emphasizing the importance of faith and action. The soldiers' inaction in the face of Goliath's challenge was a reflection of their lack of faith in God's power. David, on the other hand, was driven by his desire to honor God, not by the rewards promised by King Saul. This story serves as a powerful reminder that our actions, or lack thereof, can reflect our faith in God. We were encouraged to bring our sins and inactions before God, seeking His forgiveness and strength to move forward in faith.

We also spent time in prayer, lifting up various needs within our church community, including those who are grieving, healing, or facing health challenges. We prayed for our country, especially during this election season, and for Pastor Dave, who is on sabbatical. We concluded with a prayer of blessing over the Johnson family and an invitation for anyone needing prayer to come forward.

###

Key Takeaways

1. God Welcomes Us As We Are: Regardless of our emotional state or circumstances, God is pleased with our presence. He longs to speak into our lives and draw us closer to Him. This is a comforting reminder that we don't need to have everything figured out to come before God. [00:00]
2. Faith in Action: The story of David and Goliath teaches us that inaction can be a sign of a lack of faith. David's willingness to face Goliath was driven by his desire to honor God, not by the rewards promised. This challenges us to examine whether our actions reflect our faith in God's power. [21:17]
3. Confession and Reflection: We are encouraged to bring not only our sins but also our inactions before God. Our lives should reflect that we serve a powerful and amazing God. This involves confessing our failures and seeking God's strength to move forward in faith. [22:32]
4. Community and Support: Finding a church home where we can be spiritually fed and encouraged is crucial. It's not about finding a perfect church but about being part of a community that speaks truth and helps us grow in our relationship with Christ. [09:25]
5. Prayer and Intercession: We lifted up various needs within our church community, including those who are grieving, healing, or facing health challenges. We also prayed for our country and its leadership, especially during this election season. This underscores the importance of intercessory prayer and supporting one another in our faith journeys. [01:01:14]
### [61:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:52] - Announcements
[08:13] - Prayer for Our Country
[09:25] - Finding a Church Home
[10:46] - Confession and Reflection
[20:48] - David and Goliath: Faith in Action
[22:32] - Confession and Inaction
[23:28] - Bringing Our Sins Before God
[24:15] - God's Forgiveness
[25:05] - Offering and Tithes
[55:50] - Apostles' Creed
[61:14] - Community Prayer
[66:29] - Prayer for the Johnson Family
[69:04] - Spiritual Warfare Prayer
[72:37] - Closing Blessing and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the reaction of the Israelite soldiers when Goliath challenged them? How did this reflect their faith in God? [21:17]
How did David's motivation for facing Goliath differ from that of the soldiers? What drove him to take action? [21:56]
What were some of the specific needs and prayer requests mentioned for the church community during the service? [01:01:14]
How did the pastor describe the importance of finding a church home? What qualities should one look for in a church community? [09:25]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the soldiers were paralyzed by fear despite knowing God's power? How does this relate to our own moments of inaction? [21:17]
David was motivated by a desire to honor God rather than by the rewards promised by King Saul. How can this perspective change the way we approach challenges in our own lives? [21:56]
The pastor emphasized the importance of confession and reflection. How does acknowledging our inactions and sins before God help us grow in faith? [22:32]
The sermon highlighted the role of community and support in our spiritual journey. How can being part of a church community help us in our walk with Christ? [09:25]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt paralyzed by fear or doubt. How did it affect your actions, and what steps can you take to trust in God's power more fully in similar situations? [21:17]
David's primary concern was honoring God, not the rewards. Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you shift your focus from personal gain to honoring God in this situation? [21:56]
The pastor encouraged us to bring our inactions before God. Identify an area in your life where you have been inactive due to fear or doubt. What practical steps can you take to move forward in faith? [22:32]
Finding a church home is crucial for spiritual growth. If you are currently seeking a church, what qualities are you looking for? If you have a church home, how can you contribute to making it a place where others feel spiritually fed and encouraged? [09:25]
The sermon emphasized the importance of intercessory prayer. Think of someone in your life who is grieving, healing, or facing challenges. How can you commit to praying for them regularly, and what other ways can you support them? [01:01:14]
The pastor mentioned the importance of community and support. How can you be more intentional in building and nurturing relationships within your church community? [09:25]
Reflect on the story of David and Goliath. What "giants" are you currently facing in your life, and how can you rely on God's strength to overcome them? [21:17]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We don't claim to be a perfect church. And so if you're just checking out churches, if you're coming in and visiting out of town or if you're looking for a new church home, we don't claim that this is a perfect one, but we do claim to have a perfect God. And we're going to lean on him and we're going to hopefully hear from him from his word today and every day as we gather together." [08:13] ( | | )

2. "There's just an abundance in our relationship with Christ. And that can get met and you can experience that in a variety of different ways. And so we want you to get fed. And it's not about this place. It's about the global church as a whole. And so I encourage you, if you're seeking a church, good job. Continue to seek and find one that you can be fed and encouraged in your faith walk with Christ." [09:25] ( | | )

3. "We come here, Lord, mostly in response to our need, our need for you. Whether we're going through seasons of just success and joy and celebration or whether we're going through seasons of discouragement and confusion, Lord, we just need you. And we want you to be a part of it all. And so, Lord, would you speak into our lives today, wherever we are? Would you meet us where we are at?" [10:46] ( | | )

4. "Perhaps your life hasn't reflected that you follow a powerful and amazing God. Perhaps that your life hasn't really reflected that you can handle the battles in front of you not because they're yours because they're his and he longs to use you in them but so often we kind of hide behind our circumstances and the fear that comes." [22:32] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "In your confession this morning, the Lord hears you and he doesn't shy away and he doesn't shake his head in disappointment. He says, Child, I know. I've seen and I've heard. And now he speaks this word over you. Child, I forgive you. In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, I wash you. You are clean. You are new. Wear and carry this sin no more. For in the eyes of Christ, he gives you his righteousness. That is the truth." [25:05] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Their inaction was lack of faith. And then David shows up, this little shepherd boy who's young and he just can't believe that no one's moving and stepping up. And he's more than willing to go. No. Not because of the riches that came with it or the promises of King Saul for whoever that would face and defeat this giant. That didn't really faze David. What really bothered him is that God was being mocked and he didn't want his life to reflect that God couldn't use him or that God wasn't big enough to conquer this giant through him." [21:17] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Lord, you see our brokenness. You see what we have left undone and the things that we have done. Lord, the different ways that we fail to move in faith, the different ways that our eyes don't focus on what is unseen but we just focus on what is seen and the circumstances that surround us. We get overwhelmed by the giants that kind of walk in front of us in life, the things and the circumstances that seem so much bigger than anything we could possibly handle and then, Lord, we forget of who our Heavenly Father is." [24:15] ( | | )

3. "Lord, we lift up all those that are healing and recovering this week. For Bill Hiskin, for Lillian Dale after a stroke, Lord, we lift up Paul, healing, Lord, in the ICU right now. Hopefully, hoping to get out soon, God, that we would just ask that you would come and be near, be near all those that are hurting and on a healing journey. We lift up Dan Parity, Lord, and for all that you see him walking in today. Would you encourage his heart and continue to show him, Lord, that you are the way, the truth, and the life, and that there is hope in you." [01:03:36] ( | | )

4. "Lord, we are thankful. We're thankful that you're a God that comes in the situations of our lives, Lord. You come into them all. You're longing for a place at the table, God, as we walk through the many seasons and things that come in life, including death. Lord, we lift up all those that are grieving. God, however long it has been since we've lost loved ones, Lord, whether it's been recent or long ago, Lord, there's still seasons of grief that we walk through." [01:02:44] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Lord, we ask that you would come in the midst of this election year for our country, Lord. We pray for those impacted by the rally yesterday. Lord, we ask that you would be with the family who lost a loved one there, that you'd be in the midst of their grief as well. Lord, we ask that you would cover the leadership of this country, God. We ask that you would guide their hands, guide their decisions, Lord, that you would guide this election process, Lord, that we just ask that you would cover, that you would bless this nation and have your favor be on it." [01:04:34] ( | | )

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