Faith in Action: Embracing God's Promises

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Unseen Promises

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. This truth calls believers to trust in the promises of God, even when they are not immediately evident in our circumstances. Just as the indigenous chief in the Amazon learned to believe for his child's healing, we too are called to have unwavering confidence in God's word. Faith is not a passive state but an active stance, where one is fully convinced that what God has promised, He is also faithful to perform. It is a journey of trusting beyond what the eyes can see, and embracing the certainty of God's faithfulness with all one's heart. [07:40]

Hebrews 11:13-16 (ESV)
"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they are strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland... But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."

Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate your trust in a specific promise of God that you are waiting to see fulfilled in your life?

Day 2: The DRIVE of Spiritual Growth

The journey of faith is encapsulated in the acronym DRIVE, representing Devotion, Rootedness, Intimacy, Veneration, and Examination. Each aspect is a daily practice that strengthens one's faith and deepens the relationship with the Lord. Devotion is the commitment to follow Christ no matter the cost. Being rooted in His Word means establishing a firm foundation in the scriptures. Intimacy with God is cultivated through prayer and worship, leading to a closer relationship with Him. Veneration is the act of honoring Christ's sacrifice, and examination is the introspective reflection on one's heart and actions. Together, these practices form a robust framework for spiritual growth and a vibrant faith. [16:49]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: Which aspect of DRIVE do you need to focus on this week to deepen your relationship with God, and what practical step will you take to do so?

Day 3: The Profound Act of Communion

Communion is a profound act of faith that goes beyond mere ritual. It is a declaration of belief in Christ's sacrifice and a remembrance of His love. As believers partake in the bread and the cup, they affirm their faith in a personal and communal celebration of redemption. This sacred practice involves examining one's heart, acknowledging the need for grace, and reflecting on the immense love that Jesus demonstrated on the cross. It is a time to remember the past sacrifice, celebrate the present community, and anticipate the future glory that awaits in Christ. [24:04]

1 Corinthians 11:26-28 (ESV)
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup."

Reflection: In what ways can you prepare your heart for communion to truly reflect on Christ's sacrifice and its significance in your life?

Day 4: The Gift of Supernatural Faith

Supernatural faith is a divine gift that enables believers to trust in God beyond their physical senses. It is a heart-based belief that transcends human understanding and sight. This type of faith empowers individuals to walk in the realities of God's kingdom and to experience His miracles. It is the faith that moves mountains, heals the sick, and transforms lives. Supernatural faith is not something one can muster on their own; it is a gift from God that must be nurtured and acted upon to see the manifestation of His power and glory in the world. [25:13]

2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV)
"As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to exercise supernatural faith, and how can you take a step of faith in that area this week?

Day 5: Faith and Corresponding Action

Faith without action is dead. True faith requires believers to speak and act in alignment with God's promises. It is not enough to merely declare belief; one must also reject any confession that negates His Word. This means living out faith in practical ways, such as declaring healing over sickness and believing for provision in lack. Faith is demonstrated and strengthened by corresponding actions that reflect the reality of God's kingdom and His promises. It is a call to live out the convictions of faith in every aspect of life. [28:39]

James 2:17-18 (ESV)
"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: What is one action you can take today that will demonstrate your faith in a practical way?

Sermon Summary

In my recent sermon, I began by discussing the importance of faith and how it is essential to our spiritual journey. I shared a story from my mission trip to the Amazon, where I encountered a chief whose child had a tumor. Despite the chief's fear, I taught him about faith, emphasizing that we must believe in God's promises even when we cannot see the immediate results. This story illustrated the power of faith and the importance of knowing that God will fulfill His word.

I then connected this lesson to the concept of "DRIVE," an acronym that stands for Devotion, Rooted, Intimacy, Veneration, and Examination. Each element of DRIVE is crucial for our spiritual growth and our relationship with God. I explained how communion is an act of devotion, a declaration of our faith in Jesus Christ, and a remembrance of His sacrifice. It is also a time of veneration, honoring the body and blood of Christ, and an examination of our hearts before God.

I continued by discussing the fluctuating water levels of the Amazon River and how the indigenous people prepare for the changes, drawing a parallel to our faith journey. We must prepare our hearts and minds to trust in God's timing and provision. I shared another story of healing in the Amazon, where a woman was instantly healed through prayer, demonstrating the power of faith in action.

I emphasized the importance of being convinced of what we do not see, using the example of biblical events like the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, which we believe by faith. I also touched on the different types of faith, distinguishing between natural human faith and supernatural faith that comes from God.

As I concluded, I encouraged the congregation to be devoted, rooted in the Word, and to have victorious expectations through faith. I reminded everyone that faith without corresponding action is dead, urging them to align their actions with their beliefs.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 11:24-26 (AMP) — > "And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is My body, which is [offered as a sacrifice] for you. Do this in affectionate remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant [ratified and established] in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in affectionate remembrance of Me.' For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are symbolically proclaiming the fact of the Lord’s death until He comes again."

2. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
> "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

3. 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
> "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

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Observation Questions

What does 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 say about the purpose of communion? How does it relate to the concept of DRIVE discussed in the sermon? [24:04]
According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith described? How does this definition align with the examples of faith given in the sermon? [19:14]
In 2 Timothy 1:7, what are the three things God has given us instead of fear? How was this verse applied in the story of the Amazon chief and his child? [54:36]
What are the five elements of the DRIVE acronym mentioned in the sermon, and how do they contribute to one's spiritual journey? [24:31]

Interpretation Questions

How does the act of communion serve as a declaration of faith and a remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice according to 1 Corinthians 11:24-26? [24:04]
What does it mean to have faith as described in Hebrews 11:1? How can this type of faith impact our daily lives and spiritual growth? [19:14]
How can the principles in 2 Timothy 1:7 help us overcome fear in our spiritual journey? Reflect on the story of the Amazon chief and his child for context. [54:36]
How does the DRIVE acronym (Devotion, Rooted, Intimacy, Veneration, Examination) help in building a strong foundation of faith? Provide examples from the sermon. [24:31]

Application Questions

Communion is described as a profound act of faith and remembrance. How can you make your next communion experience more meaningful and reflective of your faith? [24:04]
Hebrews 11:1 talks about faith being the substance of things hoped for. Can you identify a situation in your life where you need to apply this kind of faith? How will you do it? [19:14]
Reflecting on 2 Timothy 1:7, what fears are currently holding you back in your spiritual journey? How can you replace those fears with power, love, and a sound mind? [54:36]
The sermon emphasized the importance of aligning actions with faith. Can you think of an area in your life where your actions do not align with your faith? What steps can you take to change that? [01:28:39]
The DRIVE acronym includes Examination. Take a moment to examine your heart. Are there any areas where you need to seek forgiveness or make changes to align more closely with God's will? [28:10]
The story of the Amazon chief learning to trust in God's promises was powerful. Is there a promise from God that you struggle to believe? How can you strengthen your faith in that promise? [01:08:48]
How can you incorporate the elements of DRIVE (Devotion, Rooted, Intimacy, Veneration, Examination) into your daily routine to enhance your spiritual growth? [24:31]

Sermon Clips

1. "Faith is the substance. It's the know that you know that you know. That substance of the things hoped for. For the evidence of the things not seen. Moffat's translation in this verse says, now faith means that we are confident of what we hope for. Confident. Say I'm confident. Say I'm confident. Say, I'm confident." [01:19:54]( | | )

2. "Faith is giving substance to things hoped for. Another one says, Faith is the warranty deed. The things for which we have finally hoped is at last ours. Here. God is telling us what faith is. There is a number of kinds of faith. There's different types of faith." [01:25:13]( | | )

3. "The same know that the water's coming up, the tumor's going down in the name of Jesus. He goes, yes, water up, tumor down. Jesus. What did he just learn? Faith. He just grasped the concept of faith. Because without... Without faith, it's impossible to please God." [01:08:48]( | | )

4. "We already knew it. So we get in there and that chief comes running up with that child. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. And here I am. He takes my hand and puts it on his child's head I go. And that that tumor is now the size of my pinky nail and just. I go. Oh, praise." [01:11:55]( | | )

5. "I am devotedly rooted. One of my rooted. I am rooted in the gospel. The good news that I've come to give you life and life more abundantly. I like how the Amplified says in my dream. My dad had a great revelation, a life better than I've come so you can have a life better than ever." [01:18:28]( | | )

6. "It's a faith that believes in that spiritual heart instead of that physical sense. It's grasping. It's grab holding of the unrealities of hope. And bringing them into a realm of reality. And faith grows out of the word of God. You grow from faith to faith. From glory to glory." [01:27:36]( | | )

7. "And so that tribe now after that happened, God showed and gifted and anointed them to be able to do something that they can do. Now they do these Bodark guns. And now this tribe hasn't sold anybody. It's thriving. The whole tribe sells Bodark guns. They all make them together." [01:05:05]( | | )

8. "I'm convinced that Jesus was nailed to a cross. I'm convinced that he was dead on that cross. I'm convinced that he was put in a grave and laid in there for three days, and he came out. And I'm convinced that he came out a glorious body." [01:23:39]( | | )

9. "God says, I desire above all things that you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers. He said, hey, for God so loved the world that I what? Gave my only begotten son that none should perish. That's his will. But it's your choice of what you're going to do." [01:32:49]( | | )

10. "So when you're devoted. Devoted. Devoted. Devoted. Give me the booted. Devotion rooted in Victoria's expectation. Man, that's equaling faith. What is faith? I'll say it this way. Faith is grasping the unrealities of hope and bringing them into a realm of reality." [01:19:14]( | | )

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