Faith: The Key to Experiencing God's Miracles

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Starts with God, Not Us

Faith is not something we muster up by our own strength or intellect; it is a gift that originates with God Himself. He plants the seed of faith within us through His Spirit, persuading and convincing our hearts of His truth and power. This means that our faith is not dependent on how hard we try to believe, but on our willingness to receive what God freely gives. When we realize that faith is a divine persuasion and not a human achievement, we are freed from striving and can rest in the assurance that God is in charge, working in us and through us for His purposes. [14:12]

Romans 12:3 (ESV)
"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."

Reflection: Where in your life have you been trying to “work up” faith on your own, and how can you instead open your heart to receive the faith God wants to give you today?

Day 2: Faith Is Faithfulness, Not a Feeling

Faith is not a fleeting emotion or a momentary feeling; it is a steady, ongoing faithfulness to God, His Word, and His ways, even when circumstances are difficult or outcomes are uncertain. True faith is found in obedience, trust, and commitment to God, holding on to Him in both our strongest and weakest moments. It is about aligning our hearts with His, seeking Him above all else, and remaining faithful whether or not we see the miracle we desire. Faithfulness is the evidence of faith, and it is in this faithfulness that God meets us and works in our lives. [16:31]

Hebrews 11:39-40 (ESV)
"And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."

Reflection: In what area of your life is God calling you to remain faithful, even when you don’t see the outcome you hoped for, and what would faithfulness look like for you today?

Day 3: Faith Is Not Attached to an Outcome, But to Jesus

Our faith is not anchored in the results we hope to see, but in the person of Jesus Christ Himself. He is the source, the provider, and the prize of our faith. Whether God answers our prayers in the way we expect or not, we can trust that He always does the right thing. Faith means trusting God’s character and sovereignty, knowing that His ways are higher than ours and that He is always working for our good, even when we don’t understand. This kind of faith brings peace and confidence, because it is rooted in who God is, not in what He does for us. [21:36]

2 Timothy 4:18 (ESV)
"The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: Is there a situation where you have been attaching your faith to a specific outcome? How can you shift your focus today to trust in Jesus Himself, regardless of what happens?

Day 4: Faith Is Active, Not Passive

Faith is not just wishful thinking or passive waiting; it is active, expressed through obedience, trust, risk, generosity, and seeking God. Throughout Scripture, we see that faith moves people to action—Abraham obeyed, Noah built, Peter stepped out of the boat, and the widow gave sacrificially. Faith is a muscle that grows as we put it into practice, and it is through these acts of faith that we make room for God to work miracles in our lives. When we step out in faith, even when it feels risky or foolish, we open the door for God’s power to be displayed. [23:19]

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

Reflection: What is one specific step of faith you can take today—whether it’s an act of obedience, generosity, or risk—that would open the door for God to move in your life?

Day 5: Familiarity Closes the Door to the Miraculous

Becoming too familiar with the things of God—treating His presence, His Word, or His people as ordinary—can lead to complacency and close our hearts to the miracles He wants to do. When we lose our sense of awe and expectation, we limit what God can accomplish in and through us. Instead, God invites us to approach Him with fresh wonder and faith, recognizing that every day, every relationship, and every breath is a miracle. By rejecting familiarity and embracing faith, we make room for God’s miraculous power to be revealed in our lives and our church. [27:33]

Mark 6:4-6 (ESV)
"And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.' 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 unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching."

Reflection: Where have you allowed familiarity to creep into your relationship with God or your church community, and how can you intentionally cultivate a sense of awe and expectation for what God wants to do?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered with gratitude for God’s presence and faithfulness, celebrating the miracles He has done and continues to do among us. As we begin a new series focused on the healing miracles of Jesus, we’re reminded that His miracles weren’t limited to physical healing—He brought deliverance, provision, resurrection, and transformation in every area of life. The Gospels record many of these miracles, but Scripture tells us that Jesus did far more than could ever be written down. What’s more, He intends for His miraculous power to flow through us, His followers, today.

The foundation for experiencing God’s miracles is faith. Faith is not something we muster up by sheer willpower or emotion; it is a gift from God, a divine persuasion planted in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Faith begins with God, not with us. It is not about how hard we believe, but about receiving and responding to what God has already given. Faith is not a fleeting feeling, but a steady faithfulness—an ongoing trust and obedience to God, even when we don’t see the outcome we desire.

Throughout Scripture, we see that faith is the key ingredient in every miracle. Yet, faith is not attached to a specific outcome; it is attached to a Person—Jesus. Whether or not we see the miracle we hope for, our faith remains anchored in the character and goodness of God. Sometimes, God’s answer is different than what we expect, but He always does the right thing. Our faith is strengthened as we hear God’s Word, share stories of His faithfulness, and step out in obedience, even when it feels risky or costly.

We are challenged to guard against familiarity, which can close the door to the miraculous. When we become too accustomed to God’s presence or the routines of church, we risk losing our sense of awe and expectation. Instead, we are invited to see every aspect of our lives—our church, our families, our very breath—as miracles, and to approach God with fresh faith and wonder. As we move forward, let’s actively build our faith, make room for God to move, and believe Him for miracles in every area of our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith Begins with God, Not Us Faith is not something we generate by trying harder or thinking more positively. It originates with God, who graciously gives each of us a measure of faith. Our role is to receive this gift, recognizing that faith is a divine persuasion, not a human achievement. This truth frees us from striving and invites us to rest in God’s initiative and generosity. [14:12]
2. Faithfulness Over Feelings True faith is not rooted in fleeting emotions or mental effort, but in steadfast faithfulness to God. It is a commitment to trust, obey, and seek God above all else, even in our weakest moments. Faithfulness means holding on to God’s promises and character, regardless of our circumstances or the outcomes we see. [16:31]
3. Faith Anchors Us to Jesus, Not Outcomes Our faith is not attached to whether or not we receive the miracle we desire; it is anchored in the person of Jesus. He is the prize, the source, and the goal of our faith. Even when we face disappointment or unanswered prayers, we can trust that God always does the right thing, and our faith remains secure in Him. [20:41]
4. Active Faith Opens the Door to Miracles Faith is not passive; it is active and participatory. It involves obedience, trust, risk, generosity, and declaration. Like Abraham, Noah, and the widow of Zarephath, we are called to act on God’s Word, even when it seems foolish or costly. Active faith makes room for God to move powerfully in our lives. [23:19]
5. Familiarity Closes the Door to the Miraculous Becoming too familiar with God, His works, or the routines of faith can breed complacency and limit our expectation for miracles. We must intentionally reject the attitude of “isn’t this just…?” and instead cultivate awe and wonder at God’s presence and power. By doing so, we keep our hearts open to the new and miraculous things God wants to do.

** [27:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:52] - Introducing the Series: “I’ve Witnessed It”
[03:10] - The Many Types of Jesus’ Miracles
[06:19] - Miracles Beyond the Written Record
[07:21] - Jesus’ Call to Greater Works
[09:02] - Wrestling with Unanswered Prayers
[10:25] - The Key Ingredient: Faith
[11:27] - The Context of Hebrews and True Faith
[13:04] - Faith Is Based on What We Hear
[14:12] - Faith Starts with God, Not Us
[16:31] - Faithfulness, Not Feelings
[18:07] - The Hall of Faith: Faith in Suffering
[19:25] - Faith Is Not Attached to Outcomes
[20:41] - Faith Anchored in Jesus
[22:06] - Building and Strengthening Faith
[23:19] - Active Faith and Making Room for Miracles
[25:23] - Faith in Generosity and Provision
[26:46] - The Danger of Familiarity
[27:33] - Rejecting Complacency, Embracing Wonder
[30:20] - Seeing Everyday Miracles
[31:51] - Prayer for Fresh Faith
[34:31] - Responding in Faith to Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Hebrews 11:1, 6 (ESV) — > Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
> And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

- Romans 10:17 (ESV)
> So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

- 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.”

Observation Questions

According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith defined? What two things does faith give us regarding what we hope for and what we do not see?
In Romans 10:17, where does faith come from, and what is the role of hearing in this process?
In John 14:12-14, what does Jesus promise to those who believe in Him, and what is the purpose of these promises?
The sermon mentioned that Jesus was unable to perform miracles in His hometown because of familiarity. What attitude did the people have that closed the door to the miraculous? ([26:46])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Faith starts with God, not us.” What does it mean that faith is a gift and not something we can create by trying harder? How does this change the way we approach God? ([14:12])
The pastor described faith as “faithfulness, not a feeling.” Why is it important to distinguish between faith as a steady trust and faith as an emotion? How might this help someone who feels weak or discouraged? ([16:31])
The message emphasized that “faith is not attached to an outcome; it is attached to a Person—Jesus.” How does this perspective help us deal with disappointment or unanswered prayers? ([20:41])
The sermon warns that “familiarity closes the door to the miraculous.” Why do you think becoming too familiar with God or church routines can limit our expectation for miracles? ([27:33])

Application Questions

The pastor said, “Faith is a gift from God, not something we muster up.” Are there areas in your life where you’ve been striving to “have more faith” by your own effort? What would it look like to simply receive faith as a gift from God this week? ([14:12])
Think about a time when you felt your faith was weak because you didn’t “feel” close to God. How can you practice faithfulness—trusting and obeying God—even when your emotions don’t line up? ([16:31])
Is there a specific prayer or miracle you’ve been waiting for that hasn’t happened yet? How can you anchor your faith in Jesus Himself, rather than in a particular outcome? ([20:41])
The sermon challenged us to “make room for God to move” by stepping out in active faith. What is one practical step of obedience, risk, or generosity you feel God is prompting you to take right now? ([23:19])
The message warned about the danger of familiarity—treating God, church, or even your family as “just ordinary.” Where have you become too familiar or complacent? What is one way you can intentionally cultivate awe and wonder for God this week? ([27:33])
The pastor encouraged us to see everyday things—our church, our families, even our breath—as miracles. What is one “ordinary” area of your life where you want to ask God to open your eyes to His miraculous work? ([30:20])
The sermon said, “Faith always opens the door and makes room for the miracle.” What is one area of your life where you need to open the door for God to move? How can the group pray with you for this? ([23:19])

Sermon Clips

Faith is found in our all in heartfelt commitment to live according to the word of God and his will not mine. Faith is to be faithful and align my heart to his heart, faith to his power and his authority in my life. [00:17:14] (21 seconds) #FaithIsConfidence

``Faith is faithfulness to God whether we get the healing this side of heaven or not. Hebrews goes through all of the hall of faith names, by faith moments, Abraham and Abel and Noah and Moses and Rahab and on down the line. Then it goes on to say that David and Samuel and Gideon lists all of them and their stories and glimpses of that. And then it lists all the ones that went through hell. The ones that were tortured, the ones that were stoned, the ones that were sawed in half, the ones that were flogged, the ones that were in prison. And guess what it says? Hebrews 11 39, these were all commended for their faith. Yet none of them received what had been promised because God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be perfect. He is the miracle. He is the prize. And faith always leads us back to him. He's the source. He's the provider. [00:17:58] (76 seconds) #FaithOpensDoors

But what I do know is that God will always do the right thing. And what I do know is that my faith and your faith is not attached to an outcome. Because all of the miracles and stories and scripture point toward true faith in God through Jesus, not the joy and satisfaction of the healing. Our faith is not attached to an outcome. It's attached to a person, and his name is Jesus. It's attached to God Almighty, the strongest of the strong, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the one who sits on the throne, the one who is actually in charge. Our faith is attached to him, and that person will always do the right thing. And that's faith. [00:20:31] (56 seconds) #FaithIsActive

Faith is given to us by God. It's confidence of what we hope for, the assurance of what we don't see. It's not based on what I can see and touch and feel. It's based on what I hear. Faith comes from hearing, hearing by the word of God. Faith starts with God, not me. Faith is faithfulness to God. It's not a feeling that we muster up. Now, it's a muscle that can be built up. It's a muscle that can be strengthened, and we strengthen it by hearing, hearing the word of God, hearing stories of life change. [00:22:08] (31 seconds) #FaithGivesGenerously

Faith is active. It's active, not passive. James 2 says, faith without works is dead. Faith is active. It's not just sitting back, hoping and praying and believing. Faith is active. Faith obeys. It is obedience to God's word like we see in Abraham. He acted in faith obeying God to the destination that he knew nowhere he was going but he choose in faith to obey God. Faith trusts. It's trusting God in the hard and painful times. [00:23:39] (42 seconds) #FamiliarityClosesDoors

God is a miracle working God. And he wants to open our eyes to the wonder and the faith for miracles upon miracles upon miracles that he wants to do in your life and in mine. Can we believe God for big things? Can we get rid of the familiarity and step in to faith? Faith always opens the door for the miraculous and makes room for the miracles. [00:30:53] (27 seconds)

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