Faith in Action: Trusting God Amidst Challenges

Devotional

Day 1: Active Belief Demands Courageous Action

Belief is not a passive state of mind but a dynamic and active pursuit. It requires the courage to take risks, much like Jairus, who, despite his position as a synagogue leader, sought Jesus' intervention for his dying daughter. This act of desperation was not just a plea for help; it was a declaration of faith in the face of societal norms and personal risk. True belief often calls one to step out of comfort zones and into the realm of faith-driven action, where the stakes are high but the divine response is transformative.

"Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, 'My little daughter is at the edge of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.'" (Mark 5:22-23 ESV)

Reflection: Recall a time when you took a significant risk to act on your belief. What fears did you face, and how did you overcome them? [07:40]

Day 2: Divine Possibility vs. Human Cynicism

When faced with divine possibility, human cynicism often emerges as laughter and doubt, as seen in the reaction of the mourners at Jairus's house. This skepticism is a barrier to witnessing the miraculous works of God. It is essential to cultivate a heart that is open to the unexpected and the supernatural, recognizing that God's perspective is vastly different from our own. By setting aside cynicism, one becomes receptive to the wonders that faith in God's power can bring into reality.

"And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, 'Talitha cumi,' which means, 'Little girl, I say to you, arise.'" (Mark 5:40-41 ESV)

Reflection: How can you guard your heart against cynicism and remain open to the miraculous in your daily life? [07:40]

Day 3: The Ripple Effect of a Man's Faith

The influence of a man's belief on his family is profound and far-reaching. When a man leads with strong faith, it not only provides a sense of security but also sets a spiritual direction for his household. This year, the challenge is for men to deepen their belief and trust in God, knowing that their faith will act as a guiding light for their loved ones, offering them a foundation of safety and a clear path to follow.

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word." (Ephesians 5:25-26 ESV)

Reflection: As a man, how can you actively demonstrate your faith to positively influence your family? If you're not a man, how can you encourage and support the men in your life to lead with faith? [07:40]

Day 4: Bold Faith Steps Beyond Comfort

Peter's attempt to walk on water is a vivid illustration of the courage required to step out in faith. It's a call to move beyond the familiar and comfortable, to trust in Jesus' power over the natural laws. This boldness to step out is not without risk, but it is essential for growth in faith. Even when one falters, as Peter did, it is the act of reaching out to Jesus that results in being lifted up and learning to trust more deeply.

"Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus." (Matthew 14:28-29 ESV)

Reflection: What is your 'boat'—the comfort zone you need to step out of in faith? What does that first step look like for you? [07:40]

Day 5: Tenacious Faith Beyond Our Lifetime

The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 are celebrated not because they received what was promised within their lifetimes, but because they held onto their faith until the end. Their unwavering belief is a testament to the assurance and conviction in things not seen. This legacy of faith is a call to hold onto one's own belief with the same tenacity, trusting that God's promises are steadfast and will come to fruition, even if it is beyond our time on earth.

"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 were strangers and exiles on the earth." (Hebrews 11:13 ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a faith that endures, even when the fulfillment of God's promises seems distant or uncertain? [07:40]

Sermon Summary

In my sermon, I began by reflecting on the importance of belief, trust, and faith, especially in the year 2024, which is shaping up to be a year where we, as believers, will need to hold onto these virtues more than ever before. I shared my conviction that every year until Jesus returns, we will need to believe more, trust more, and have more faith. I recounted the story of Jairus, the synagogue leader, who risked everything to seek Jesus' help for his dying daughter. His story exemplifies the kind of belief that acts despite the risks, driven by a father's love for his child.

I then described the scene at Jairus's house, where professional mourners were wailing over the child's death. Jesus' response to the commotion, asserting that the girl was not dead but asleep, and the subsequent laughter from the crowd, highlighted a stark contrast between doubt and divine perspective. Jesus' miracle of raising the girl from the dead was a powerful testament to His authority over life and death, and a call for us to have faith in the face of impossibility.

I emphasized the impact of belief on a family, particularly challenging men to believe, as their faith sets a trajectory for their household. I shared from my personal life, how my husband's belief in Jesus provided a foundation of safety and security for our family, despite life's inevitable challenges.

The sermon moved to the story of Peter walking on water, illustrating the courage it takes to step out in faith, even when it means leaving the safety of the boat. I encouraged the congregation to be like Peter, willing to take risks in faith, and to remember that even if we falter, Jesus is there to catch us.

I spoke about the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, who, despite not seeing the fulfillment of God's promises in their lifetimes, believed until the end. Their example teaches us to hold onto our faith, even when the fulfillment of God's promises seems distant.

I shared a personal anecdote about a fall I took while preaching, which, while embarrassing, served as a reminder that we must press on and not let our mistakes define us. I encouraged the congregation to take a "new grip" with their tired hands, as Hebrews 12:12 urges, to hang on because breakthrough and hope are on the horizon.

I concluded the sermon with a prayer for those struggling, asking God to show up in their lives with a miracle that can only be explained by His power. I also mentioned our ministry's mission to see the lost saved and the saved made stronger, and the resources available to support this mission, including my book about our life in an RV and the importance of our prayer card.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What risks did Jairus take when he approached Jesus for help with his dying daughter? ([01:03:28])
How did the professional mourners react to Jesus' statement that the girl was not dead but asleep? ([01:04:20])
What was Peter's initial reaction when he saw Jesus walking on water, and what did he ask Jesus to do? ([01:09:39])
According to Hebrews 11, what is the relationship between faith and the promises of God? ([01:14:31])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jairus was willing to risk his reputation and possibly his life to seek Jesus' help? What does this tell us about the nature of true belief? ([01:03:28])
How does the reaction of the mourners at Jairus's house reflect common attitudes towards faith and miracles today? ([01:04:20])
What does Peter's experience of walking on water teach us about the nature of faith and doubt? How does this story encourage us to take risks in our faith journey? ([01:10:48])
How do the examples of faith in Hebrews 11 inspire us to hold onto our faith even when we do not see immediate results? ([01:14:31])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you had to take a significant risk for your faith. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your belief in God? ([01:03:28])
Have you ever experienced cynicism or doubt in your faith journey? How did it affect your ability to witness or experience God's miracles? ([01:04:20])
In what ways can you, as a man or woman, lead your family in faith this year? What specific actions can you take to deepen your belief and trust in God? ([01:08:27])
Think about a situation where you felt called to step out in faith but were hesitant. What held you back, and how can you overcome that hesitation in the future? ([01:10:48])
How can the stories of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 encourage you to persevere in your faith, even when you do not see immediate results? ([01:14:31])
Have you ever felt like giving up on a promise from God because it seemed too distant or impossible? How can you take a "new grip" on your faith and continue to trust in God's timing? ([01:17:21])
Identify one area in your life where you need to trust God more. What practical steps can you take this week to strengthen your faith in that area? ([01:18:57])

Sermon Clips

1. "I cannot explain it to you, but God showed up in my life. If I was one of those professional mourners, I think I would stand there and go, I missed it. I could have been in that room watching a miracle. I could have been witnessing. I could have been participating, believing for a miracle. But because I laughed in the face of God, I didn't get to. And I missed it." [01:05:55]( | | )

2. "How you believe determines the trajectory of your family. I'm not saying it erases free will. I'm not saying that people still don't have a choice. What I'm saying is this. When you as men believe, we will follow. Your depth of belief as a man affects your family greatly. Believe. You're going to have to believe more than you ever have this year." [01:07:46]( | | )

3. "In the middle of a storm, this guy climbs out of the boat and for a brief moment he walks on water. And I know what somebody is thinking. Well, yeah, but he saw the waves and got scared and took his eyes off Jesus and he began to sink. But what are you going to do? You're going to do what Peter did and you're going to cry out and you're going to go, Jesus. And then Jesus is going to grab you." [01:10:48]( | | )

4. "These people earned a good reputation because of their level of faith. And if there's one thing I want my kids and my family to say about me, it's that she believed. She trusted. She had this faith about her that did not waver. Let your faith be steady. Don't get blown about. It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying." [01:12:36]( | | )

5. "Take a new grip so you can hang on a little longer. Why? Because your answer is coming. Your breakthrough is coming. Your provision is coming. Your healing is coming. Your hope is coming. Your encouragement is coming. Your comfort is coming. Your Messiah is coming. Your Savior is coming. He's coming. Hang on. Take a new grip. Strengthen your faith." [01:18:21]( | | )

6. "They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it from a distance. And they welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. These people, the promises that God made to them did not happen before they died. But they went to their deathbed still believing and having faith in him. Don't stop believing because you haven't seen it." [01:14:31]( | | )

7. "They weren't perfect people. But they had faith. And they made terrible mistakes and terrible choices. And they are in the hall of faith because of their good reputation for faith. Don't you let the enemy discount you because you've made some poor choices. When you are repentant and you align your life with God. And you truly have a heart for Him. He can use you in any way He wants." [01:16:04]( | | )

8. "Lord, let Kennedy and Cattison shut the mouths of lions. Let Kennedy and Cattison escape death by the edge of the sword. Turn Kennedy and Cattison's weakness into strength. Make Kennedy and Cattison strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. That's what I'm speaking over my family. It's important to declare what you know is God's will." [01:16:50]( | | )

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