Faith, Prayer, and God's Transformative Presence

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Persistent Prayer

Persistent prayer is crucial in our walk with God. Just as the widow in Luke 18:1-8 kept coming to the unjust judge, we must continually seek God, trusting that He hears us and will answer in His perfect timing. Persistence in prayer demonstrates our faith and reliance on God, not on our own abilities. When we persist in prayer, we show our dependence on God and our belief that He is the one who can truly meet our needs. This kind of prayer is not about wearing God down but about building our faith and aligning our hearts with His will.

In our daily lives, it can be easy to become discouraged when we don't see immediate answers to our prayers. However, the Bible encourages us to keep praying and not give up. God is always working, even when we don't see it. Our persistent prayers are a testament to our trust in His timing and His plan for our lives. Let us be encouraged to keep praying, knowing that God hears us and will answer in His perfect way. [01:00:37]

Luke 18:1-8 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’'"

Reflection: Think of a prayer request you have been bringing to God. How can you renew your commitment to pray persistently for this need, trusting in God's perfect timing?

Day 2: Faith Over Performance

Our relationship with God is based on faith, not on our performance. We often try to fix ourselves before coming to God, but He calls us to come as we are, trusting in His grace and love. Our faith in Jesus' finished work on the cross is what saves and transforms us, not our efforts. This truth liberates us from the pressure of trying to earn God's favor through our actions. Instead, we can rest in the assurance that His love and acceptance are freely given to us through faith.

When we focus on performance, we can easily fall into the trap of legalism, believing that our worth is tied to our ability to follow rules and meet certain standards. However, the Bible teaches that it is by grace we have been saved, through faith, and not by works. This means that our relationship with God is not dependent on our ability to be perfect but on our trust in His perfect love and sacrifice. Let us embrace the freedom that comes from living by faith and not by performance. [01:06:09]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself striving for God's approval through your performance? How can you shift your focus to trusting in His grace and love instead?

Day 3: God's Nearness to the Brokenhearted

God promises to be near to those who are brokenhearted and crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). In times of emotional pain and distress, we can find comfort in knowing that God is close, ready to heal and restore us. Practicing His presence in our daily lives helps us experience His peace and strength. When we are brokenhearted, it can feel like we are alone in our suffering, but God's Word assures us that He is especially close to us in those moments.

The nearness of God is a source of great comfort and hope. He is not distant or indifferent to our pain but is intimately aware of our struggles and ready to provide the healing and support we need. By turning to Him in our brokenness, we open ourselves to His loving presence and the peace that surpasses all understanding. Let us remember that God is always near, especially when we are hurting, and seek His comfort and strength in our times of need. [01:23:55]

Psalm 34:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt brokenhearted or crushed in spirit. How did you experience God's nearness during that time? How can you seek His presence in your current struggles?

Day 4: The Assurance of God's Promises

When we pray in faith, according to God's will, we can be confident that He hears us and will answer (1 John 5:13-15). This assurance encourages us to seek God's will in our lives and trust that He will provide what we need. Our faith in His promises strengthens our relationship with Him. Knowing that God is faithful to His promises gives us the confidence to approach Him with our requests and trust that He will act according to His perfect plan.

God's promises are a firm foundation for our faith. They remind us of His unchanging character and His commitment to His children. When we pray with the assurance that God hears us, we can rest in the knowledge that He is working all things together for our good. This confidence in His promises allows us to live with hope and expectation, knowing that our prayers are not in vain. Let us hold fast to the promises of God and trust in His faithfulness. [01:14:19]

1 John 5:14-15 (ESV): "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."

Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to hold onto today? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and trust that He will fulfill His promises in your life?

Day 5: The Importance of Belief

Belief is the foundation of our ability to do greater works in Jesus' name (John 14:12-14). Our lack of belief often hinders us from experiencing the fullness of God's power and miracles in our lives. By strengthening our faith and aligning our desires with God's will, we can become effective ambassadors for Christ, representing Him in all we do. Belief is not just intellectual assent but a deep trust and confidence in God's ability to work through us.

When we truly believe in the power of Jesus' name, we open ourselves to the possibility of seeing His miraculous work in our lives and the lives of others. Our belief empowers us to step out in faith and take bold actions for the Kingdom of God. It is through our belief that we can experience the greater works that Jesus promised. Let us cultivate a strong and unwavering belief in God's power and His desire to work through us for His glory. [01:27:54]

John 14:12-14 (ESV): "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to believe in God's power? How can you take a step of faith today to trust in His ability to work through you?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to honor and worship the Lord, acknowledging His presence and the transformative power He has in our lives. We united in faith, believing for changed lives, salvation, and deliverance from the enemy's grip. We emphasized the importance of giving as an act of worship, reflecting on 1 Corinthians 9:7, which reminds us to give cheerfully. We also discussed the significance of trusting in Jesus, who alone can satisfy our hearts and provide peace amidst life's challenges.

We explored the concept of being in "hot pursuit" of God, understanding that our relationship with Him is based on faith, not our performance. We delved into the necessity of persistent prayer, as illustrated in Luke 18:1, and the assurance that God hears and answers our prayers when we ask in faith. We were reminded that God is always near, especially to the brokenhearted, and that He desires to give us good things when we seek Him earnestly.

The sermon concluded with a call to place our faith in Jesus, recognizing that only He can change us and bring true transformation. We were encouraged to continue seeking God, trusting in His promises, and believing that He is always working on our behalf, even when we don't see it.

###

Key Takeaways

1. 8 kept coming to the unjust judge, we must continually seek God, trusting that He hears us and will answer in His perfect timing. Persistence in prayer demonstrates our faith and reliance on God, not on our own abilities. [01:00:37]
2. Faith Over Performance: Our relationship with God is based on faith, not on our performance. We often try to fix ourselves before coming to God, but He calls us to come as we are, trusting in His grace and love. Our faith in Jesus' finished work on the cross is what saves and transforms us, not our efforts.

3. God's Nearness to the Brokenhearted: God promises to be near to those who are brokenhearted and crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). In times of emotional pain and distress, we can find comfort in knowing that God is close, ready to heal and restore us. Practicing His presence in our daily lives helps us experience His peace and strength.

4. The Assurance of God's Promises: When we pray in faith, according to God's will, we can be confident that He hears us and will answer (1 John 5:13-15). This assurance encourages us to seek God's will in our lives and trust that He will provide what we need. Our faith in His promises strengthens our relationship with Him.

5. The Importance of Belief: Belief is the foundation of our ability to do greater works in Jesus' name (John 14:12-14). Our lack of belief often hinders us from experiencing the fullness of God's power and miracles in our lives. By strengthening our faith and aligning our desires with God's will, we can become effective ambassadors for Christ, representing Him in all we do.

### [60:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[44:01] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[44:37] - Announcements
[45:26] - Offering and Giving
[46:44] - Giving Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:7
[52:31] - Trusting in Jesus
[54:28] - God's Presence and Peace
[55:32] - Dealing with Opposition and Anxiety
[57:08] - Overcoming Stress and Worry
[59:09] - Seated in Heavenly Places
[59:53] - Hot Pursuit of God
[60:37] - The Importance of Persistent Prayer
[66:09] - Faith Over Performance
[74:19] - Assurance of God's Promises
[83:55] - God's Nearness to the Brokenhearted
[87:54] - The Importance of Belief
[90:53] - Keep Praying and Trusting
[97:04] - Closing Prayer and Invitation to Salvation
[100:24] - Prayer for Dr. Sharon Smith and Family

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), what was the widow's approach to seeking justice, and how did the unjust judge eventually respond? [01:00:37]
According to 1 Corinthians 9:7, what attitude should we have when we give, and why is this important? [46:44]
Psalm 34:18 mentions that the Lord is near to a specific group of people. Who are they, and what does this imply about God's character? [01:23:55]

Interpretation Questions

How does the persistent prayer of the widow in Luke 18:1-8 illustrate our need for faith and reliance on God rather than our own abilities? [01:00:37]
Why is it significant that our relationship with God is based on faith rather than performance, as discussed in the sermon? [01:06:09]
How can understanding that God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18) change the way we approach our own emotional pain and distress? [01:23:55]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt like giving up on prayer. How can the story of the persistent widow encourage you to keep praying despite challenges? [01:00:37]
In what ways can you practice giving cheerfully in your daily life, and how might this change your perspective on generosity? [46:44]
When you face emotional pain or distress, how can you remind yourself of God's promise to be near to the brokenhearted? What practical steps can you take to experience His presence more fully? [01:23:55]
How can you shift your focus from trying to perform for God to simply having faith in His grace and love? What are some practical ways to cultivate this mindset? [01:06:09]
Think of a specific area in your life where you need to trust in God's promises. How can you actively seek His will and trust that He will provide what you need? [01:14:19]
Identify a situation where your belief might be hindering you from experiencing God's power and miracles. How can you strengthen your faith and align your desires with God's will? [01:27:54]
How can you incorporate the practice of God's presence into your daily routine, especially during times of stress and anxiety? What specific actions can you take to remind yourself of His nearness? [01:23:55]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "How many know he is the only one that can satisfy our hearts, our souls? He's the only one that we can truly lean and depend on. You may not be able to trust everybody, but you can trust in our Lord. You may not be able to call on everybody when you're in trouble, but you can call on the name of the Lord." [52:31] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God is so good to us and there is this peace that's in this room. There's this calmness and stillness that's in this room that is just so attractive. It's so assume positive. So inviting. I truly believe that everything that you need, he provides. All you got to do is believe him for it. All you got to do is be willing to step out on faith and trust him." [54:28] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You don't have to be stressed out. You don't have to be full of anxiety. You don't have to be so bogged down with your troubles that you cannot sleep at night. You don't have to. Your God is bigger and better than that. And he wants you to have peace. Amen?" [57:08] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God wants us. To be in hot pursuit of him. When we are in hot pursuit of God, he begins to change our perspective about life. He begins to change the way that we view our trials and our tribulations and the things that work for our good. He begins to shift our mindset to when we begin to think more of a heavenly mindset." [58:27] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You cannot fix yourself. You cannot save yourself. You cannot negotiate your way out of this. You need Jesus. Only Jesus can change you. Only Jesus can change your heart. You can change your mind all day long like, yeah, okay, I'm no longer going to do this. And then you find yourself doing it again and again and again and again. Until you are willing to say, Jesus, I know I can't stop doing this thing until you change me. It ain't changing." [01:37:04] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "When God delays an answer, because we all know that God, it seems like he's delaying as well. It's always according to his perfect will. You know, God allows tribulation so that we can get patience, right? Right? I'm not saying that it's fun. But that's... That's just the way it works. When you ask for patience, he doesn't just give you patience, he gives you a trial. That's his sense of humor. That's the way that he thinks. That's the way that he does things." [01:10:20] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "He promises to hear us if we ask in faith. He promises to answer us. Jeremiah chapter 33, verse 3. It says, call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things. I had to use KJV on this one because nobody could say it just right. Great and mighty things which thou knowest not. He promises to show us these things. He promises to answer us, to talk back to us. If we would just call unto him." [01:17:16] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "He says, call unto me and I will answer you. I'll show you. I'll show you great and mighty things. I really will. I'll do crazy stuff like that for you. All you got to do is believe me for it. Our problem is in where we place our faith. We're so busy placing our faith in our performance instead of his. Place it in his performance and his integrity and his goodness and kindness. Place our faith in him." [01:20:31] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "He promises that he will be near us. Psalms 46 verse 1 says, God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble. Everyone say present. Now, not a gift, but present. Your presence. He says, I will be here. I will be near. You ever feel far away from God? You ever felt that way? Ever felt like God was just like so far away? Not only is he not hearing me, but I can't even feel him around me anymore. Where's your faith? Where are your eyes looking?" [01:21:06] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "He says, look, if you just call upon my name, I'll be near to you. I'll come. I'll show up. I'll show out. And we still, instead of calling on him first, we try to get stuff together first. It's almost as if it's like, God's coming to the house. So, everybody, real quick, I know we haven't vacuumed in a month, but somebody grab a vacuum. I know there's a ton of dishes over there that haven't been cleaned in a month. Somebody get on kitchen duty, and then you all of a sudden start running around trying to fix all this stuff. And he's just like, chill." [01:33:19] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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