Faith, Unity, and Miracles: Trusting God's Timing

Devotional

Day 1: Unity in Faithful Community

The strength of a church is not found in its physical location but in the unity and faith of its people. A community that is soft towards Jesus and sticks together can witness God's miraculous provisions and guidance. This unity is a testament to the power of collective faith, where individuals come together with a shared purpose and belief in God's promises. When a community is united in faith, it becomes a fertile ground for miracles and divine interventions. The story of a church in Chicago, which was without a permanent home for 24 years, exemplifies this truth. Despite the lack of a physical space, the community's unity and faith led to a miraculous provision of a large church building when it was least expected. This experience underscores the importance of sticking together and trusting in God's timing for miracles. [01:23]

"Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common." (Acts 4:32, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity and faith of your community today, even in small ways?

Day 2: Faith Overcomes Doubt

In Mark 9, the disciples' failure to cast out a demon was due to their lack of faith. Jesus teaches that everything is possible for those who believe, challenging us to confront our doubts and trust in His power. This passage invites believers to examine their faith and recognize the barriers that doubt can create. It is a call to deepen one's trust in God's power and to believe in the possibilities that faith can unlock. The story of Jesus healing a boy possessed by a spirit serves as a powerful reminder that faith, not just actions, is the key to overcoming challenges. By confronting doubts and embracing belief, individuals can experience the transformative power of faith in their lives. [09:00]

"And Jesus answered them, 'Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, "Be taken up and thrown into the sea," it will happen.'" (Matthew 21:21, ESV)

Reflection: What specific doubts are holding you back from fully trusting in God's power, and how can you begin to address them today?

Day 3: Prayer as a Faith Builder

Engaging in prayer over scripture and praying for all things, big and small, strengthens our faith. This practice helps us internalize God's promises and prepares us for greater acts of faith. By praying over the Word of God, believers are reminded of their identity as sons and daughters of the Most High. This identity is foundational to building a strong faith that can withstand challenges. Additionally, praying about everything, both small and large, exercises one's faith muscles, making them stronger and more resilient. This consistent practice of prayer not only builds faith but also aligns believers with God's will, enabling them to participate in His miraculous works. [17:37]

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one small thing you can pray about today to start building your faith muscles?

Day 4: Obedience Leads to Miracles

Often, the greatest miracles occur when we step out in obedience, even without full certainty of the outcome. This faith of obedience can lead to a greater faith of expectation, enabling us to witness God's power. Obedience to God's nudges, even when the path is unclear, is a demonstration of trust and faith. It is in these moments of obedience that believers often experience the most profound miracles and divine interventions. By responding to God's call and taking risks in obedience, individuals open themselves up to witnessing and participating in God's miraculous works. This journey of obedience not only strengthens faith but also cultivates a spirit of expectation for what God can do. [30:44]

"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in obedience, and how can you take a small step in that direction today?

Day 5: Responding to God's Nudges

Being attentive to the Holy Spirit's nudges and acting on them can lead to extraordinary outcomes. This practice not only increases our faith but also impacts the faith of those around us. When believers respond to God's nudges, they align themselves with His will and open the door to experiencing His power in new and unexpected ways. These nudges are often subtle, requiring a sensitive and attentive spirit to discern them. By acting on these divine prompts, individuals can witness the ripple effect of their faith, inspiring and encouraging others in their community. This responsiveness to God's guidance is a testament to a vibrant and active faith that seeks to participate in God's work in the world. [35:23]

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:21, ESV)

Reflection: Can you recall a recent nudge from the Holy Spirit that you may have ignored? How can you be more attentive and responsive to such nudges in the future?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, I was deeply moved by the vibrant and multigenerational community present. It's not about the physical space we occupy but the unity and softness towards Jesus that truly matters. Reflecting on my own journey, I shared how our church in Chicago was without a permanent home for 24 years, yet God performed a miracle, providing us with a large church building when we least expected it. This experience taught me the importance of sticking together and trusting in God's timing for miracles.

We delved into Mark 9:14-29, where Jesus heals a boy possessed by a spirit. The disciples' inability to cast out the demon was due to their lack of faith, not a lack of prayer or fasting. Jesus emphasized that everything is possible for one who believes. This passage challenges us to examine our faith and trust in God's power. I recounted personal stories of faith, from casting out demons during my university days to witnessing miraculous financial provisions and healings. These experiences underscore the necessity of a bold, risk-taking faith that believes nothing is impossible with God.

To cultivate such faith, we must engage in specific types of prayer. First, pray over the Word of God, allowing scripture to remind us of our identity as sons and daughters of the Most High. Second, pray about everything, both small and large, to build our faith muscles. Third, embrace the faith of obedience, stepping out even when the outcome is uncertain. By responding to God's nudges and taking risks in obedience, our faith grows, enabling us to witness and participate in God's miraculous works.

Key Takeaways

1. Unity and Faith in Community: The strength of a church lies not in its physical location but in the unity and faith of its people. A community that is soft towards Jesus and sticks together can witness God's miraculous provisions and guidance. [01:23]
2. Faith Overcomes Doubt: In Mark 9, the disciples' failure to cast out a demon was due to their lack of faith. Jesus teaches that everything is possible for those who believe, challenging us to confront our doubts and trust in His power. [09:00]
3. Prayer as a Faith Builder: Engaging in prayer over scripture and praying for all things, big and small, strengthens our faith. This practice helps us internalize God's promises and prepares us for greater acts of faith. [17:37]
4. Obedience Leads to Miracles: Often, the greatest miracles occur when we step out in obedience, even without full certainty of the outcome. This faith of obedience can lead to a greater faith of expectation, enabling us to witness God's power. [30:44]
5. Responding to God's Nudges: Being attentive to the Holy Spirit's nudges and acting on them can lead to extraordinary outcomes. This practice not only increases our faith but also impacts the faith of those around us. [35:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:17] - Introduction and Community Encouragement
[01:42] - Personal Church Journey
[04:49] - Introduction to Mark 9
[06:21] - The Power of Belief
[09:17] - Personal Stories of Faith
[12:05] - Bold and Risk-Taking Faith
[16:15] - Growing Faith Through Prayer
[18:09] - Identity in Christ
[20:00] - Praying for Everything
[23:35] - Building Faith with Small Prayers
[26:43] - Faith in Action: Personal Testimonies
[30:14] - Obedience and Expectation
[32:31] - Responding to Nudges
[37:43] - Closing and Call to Stand

Sermon Clips

What I sense just being here this morning is a softness towards Jesus in you as a people which is precious, uh very precious thing and if I lived in Manchester I'd want to be a part of this I really would I'd want to be this is where I'd want to be you know and if we have to meet in the canteen then we meet in the canteen. [00:01:19]

What God did a miracle, Boom at the last minute when we didn't expect it after a whole big process and we ended up in the biggest church building with the biggest car park in the ENT in the city that we own you know and what I want to say to you is just stick together you got something great trust the Lord he will do a miracle for you too. [00:02:39]

The reason the disciples couldn't get the demon to leave was their lack of faith, the issue was faith and that was Jesus immediate reaction oh unbelieving generation how long do I have to put up with this when are you guys going to get the picture when are you going to understand you know he's frustrated by their lack of faith they're an unbelieving generation their faith is weak. [00:07:55]

What we need is a faith that says nothing's impossible nothing's impossible we do have to confront the powers of Darkness but to do it you got to have a bold Faith you got to have a strong faith you got to have a confident Faith you got to have a risk-taking faith you've got to have the idea that sort of mentality nothing's going to be impossible we're going to do this thing. [00:11:53]

Faith grows from hearing the word like tell read the word read the stories and then pray over it especially over things about who we really are in Christ you have to remember you are not just who who you seem to be you are Sons and Daughters of the most high God and if you could be seen in the reality of who you are in the spirit world you would be you know bright shining beings filled with power. [00:17:34]

Pray about everything small and large you got to pray about everything James 4 verse 2 he says you have not because you ask not and why don't we ask because we don't have faith do you remember when you first met Jesus where were you a lot of times when people first met J meet Jesus and they finally realize oh this is for Real they pray for everything. [00:19:53]

When you lose things pray for them like that's one of the is surprisingly effective prayer you know one time we used to you know have to have a separate device to listen to music other than your phone you had a phone and then you had a thing called an iPod and you know it a separate device and S and I had gone to this other City to speak and we stayed in the hotel. [00:23:35]

The faith of obedience will lead to a greater faith of expectation there are a lot of times when God calls us to obey when we don't know the outcome so to really get started like say in praying for the sick you you don't you don't always need the faith of expectation like I expect this is going to happen I know it's going to happen what you need is the faith of obedience. [00:30:07]

You have to take the risk of stepping out in obedience to try things that you're not sure whether it's going to work like you get this little thought you should go you should call that old friend just do it don't sit there for an hour debating could that be God could that not be God like don't you're wasting time and energy your friend needs you now just just do it just go with the nudges. [00:31:36]

A little nudge comes go back and try again and pray this time that was it go back and try again so he says to the medical team I I want to go back and try a little longer they said we're not get we're not doing it like it's pointless like it's been 40 minutes like her brain is mushed now everything is mushed her heart hasn't been beating for 40 minutes. [00:34:41]

Imagine what that does to the to the church Community there and their faith like that's that's how we have increasing Faith imagine if we were all doing it together living like that with our faith growing responding to the nudges praying for the little things praying the word of God till we actually believe it what God could do then you haven't seen anything yet. [00:37:07]

You are believing for the impossible right now as a people and I'm here to tell you God can do it God can do it God can do it all right. [00:29:55]

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