Kickstarting Faith: Expect Miracles and Embrace Action

Devotional

Day 1: Expectation Cultivates Miraculous Encounters

Expectation is not merely a hopeful desire; it's a spiritual posture that opens the door to experiencing God's supernatural interventions. When we approach God with the belief that He will act, we align ourselves with the biblical narrative of those who received miracles. Just as the woman with the issue of blood believed that touching Jesus' garment would bring her healing, we too must foster a heart of expectation. This mindset not only prepares us to receive but also actively invites God's mighty power into our lives. It's about shifting from passive waiting to expectant seeking, which can transform our spiritual journey and lead to profound encounters with the divine. [09:42]

James 5:16-18 (ESV): "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit."

Reflection: Recall a time when you approached God with great expectation. How did your attitude of expectancy change the outcome of your prayer?

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Day 2: Active Faith Moves Mountains

Faith is inherently active; it compels us to take steps that may seem illogical or daunting. This dynamic aspect of faith was evident in the miracles discussed, where actions, like reaching out to touch Jesus' garment, were pivotal. Faith is not passive contemplation but a force that drives us to act, challenge the norm, and invite God's intervention in our lives. By understanding that our actions are a critical component of our faith expression, we can begin to see obstacles as opportunities for God to display His power. This realization encourages us to step out in faith, knowing that our actions can lead to miraculous outcomes. [22:39]

Hebrews 11:29 (ESV): "By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned."

Reflection: What is one action you can take this week to demonstrate your faith in a practical way?

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Day 3: Conquering Fear with Bold Belief

Fear often tries to creep into our lives, threatening to undermine our faith. However, embracing belief over fear is essential for spiritual growth and experiencing God's promises. This does not mean that we won't feel fear, but rather that we choose not to let fear control our actions. Anchoring ourselves in the truth of God's word allows us to stand firm against fear and move forward in faith. By actively rejecting fear and cultivating a bold belief, we open ourselves to the fullness of life that God intends for us. [35:02]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Reflection: Identify a fear that has been holding you back in your spiritual life. What scripture can you use to combat this fear?

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Day 4: Faith Influences All Aspects of Life

Faith is not limited to our spiritual activities; it permeates every facet of our existence, influencing our decisions, relationships, and responses to challenges. When we live by faith, it shapes how we interact with others, handle work-related stress, and respond to unexpected difficulties. This holistic approach to faith ensures that it becomes a guiding force in our lives, leading to consistent spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God. By integrating faith into every area, we witness its transformative power in both mundane and significant moments. [32:06]

Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: How can you better integrate your faith into a specific area of your daily routine?

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Day 5: The Power of Persistent Prayer

Persistent prayer is a key component of a dynamic faith life. It's not about the eloquence of our words but the persistence and belief behind them. Like the persistent widow in scripture, we are called to continually bring our requests before God, trusting in His timing and perfect will. This type of prayer aligns us with God's purposes and cultivates a spirit of endurance and hope, even when immediate answers seem elusive. Through persistent, faith-filled prayer, we maintain our connection with God and keep our spirits attuned to His presence. [23:16]

Luke 18:7-8 (ESV): "And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Reflection: What is one prayer request you need to persist in praying for, and how can you commit to praying for it regularly?

Sermon Summary

Today, we embarked on a new sermon series focused on kickstarting various aspects of our lives through faith. We began by addressing the need for a deeper connection with God, beyond the superficial routines that often dominate our daily lives. I shared insights on how true transformation begins with a solid foundation in faith, which then permeates other areas of our lives.

In the early part of the sermon, I emphasized the importance of expecting miracles from God, drawing from biblical narratives where expectation set the stage for divine intervention. We discussed the story of a woman in the Bible who, despite years of suffering and disappointment, reached out to Jesus in faith and was healed instantly. This story illustrated the power of faith and expectation in receiving from God.

We then transitioned into discussing the practical aspects of faith in daily life. I shared personal anecdotes and biblical examples to highlight how faith acts as a catalyst for divine action. We explored the concept of faith not just as a belief but as an active, living force that should drive our decisions and interactions.

Throughout the sermon, I shared two specific miracles that demonstrated the immediate power of faith when combined with God’s supernatural ability. These stories served to encourage the congregation to actively seek and expect miracles in their own lives.

As we moved deeper into the sermon, I tackled the common fears and doubts that often hinder our spiritual growth. I stressed the importance of kicking out fear and kickstarting belief, using scriptural references to reinforce the idea that faith must be active and fearless to be effective.

The sermon concluded with a powerful call to action, inviting the congregation to engage in a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Christ. I led a prayer for those seeking to reset their spiritual lives and for those needing physical healing, emphasizing that faith and action must go hand in hand.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the crowd's reaction when Jesus returned in Luke 8:40? How does this set the stage for the miracles that follow?
In Mark 5:35-43, what was Jesus' response to the news of Jairus' daughter's death? How did He address the fear and doubt of those around Him?
According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith described? How does this definition relate to the stories of the woman with the issue of blood and Jairus' daughter?
What were some examples given in the sermon of how faith acts as a catalyst for divine action? [07:20]

Interpretation Questions

How does the expectation of miracles, as seen in the story of the woman with the issue of blood, influence our own faith and prayers? [09:42]
What does Jesus' instruction to "not be afraid, just believe" in Mark 5:36 teach us about handling fear and doubt in our spiritual journey? [33:49]
How can the concept of faith as an active, living force (Hebrews 11:1) be applied to our daily decisions and interactions? [27:28]
In what ways did the sermon illustrate the importance of persistent, faith-filled prayer, and how does this align with the story of the persistent widow in scripture? [23:16]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you approached God with a specific expectation. How did that expectation influence the outcome? How can you cultivate a mindset of expectation in your daily walk with God? [09:42]
Identify a specific area in your life where fear has been a barrier to faith. What steps can you take to "kick out fear and kickstart belief" in that area? [34:43]
Think about a recent decision or interaction. How did your faith influence it? How can you ensure that faith continues to be an active, driving force in your daily life? [27:28]
Persistent prayer was highlighted as crucial in the sermon. What is one area in your life where you need to be more persistent in prayer? How can you incorporate this into your daily routine? [23:16]
The sermon mentioned the importance of a solid foundation in faith. What are some practical ways you can strengthen your foundation in faith this week? [02:47]
How can you actively seek and expect miracles in your life, as encouraged in the sermon? Share a specific situation where you will apply this mindset. [07:20]
The sermon discussed the impact of faith on all areas of life, including relationships and challenges. Identify one relationship or challenge where you need to apply more faith. What specific actions will you take to do this? [32:06]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "You'll see that faith in your children. Trust me. Jesus said, unless you have faith like a child, you will not enter in the kingdom of God. I mean, you want to see faith? Get around kids. You're struggling with your faith? Start volunteering in our kids program. It'll change your life." [28:23]( | | )

2. "So this is the third point. Kick out fear. Kickstart your belief. All right? Again, you can have the feeling of fear. Like, we all, feelings are great, right? If you know what to do with them. You can have the feeling. We're going to have feelings of fear, but don't let them become you." [34:43]( | | )

3. "Because we believe that God the Father raised him from the grave and we speak it with our mouth. We can't just say it in our heart. We got to speak it into existence. We got to speak it. Life and death are in the power of tongue." [46:13]( | | )

4. "our lives, kickstart our relationship. Let's build a solid foundation that we can build everything off of, you know, something that will stand the storms like we talked about in the last service. But sometimes, you know, the honest truth is we just exhaust ourselves." [06:41]( | | )

5. "So be open. Everybody needs Jesus. Everybody needs Jesus. But it's temporary. And if you want a kick start that will last. You've got to go to Christ." [17:41]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Expecting. Expecting. My first point is a question. Are you expecting Jesus? Are you expecting? I said the crowd was expecting him. How many times did Jesus get missed, and other people missed their miracle because they weren't expecting?" [09:42]( | | )

2. "Faith is not passive; it requires action. The stories of miracles shared today remind us that faith must be accompanied by action, whether it’s reaching out to touch Jesus’ garment or stepping out in prayer for healing. Active faith challenges the status quo and invites God’s power into our situations." [22:39]( | | )

3. "Fear is a significant barrier to faith. To experience the fullness of what God has for us, we must kick out fear and embrace belief. This doesn’t mean that feelings of fear won’t come, but we shouldn’t let them dictate our actions. Instead, we anchor ourselves in the truth of God’s word." [35:02]( | | )

4. "Faith impacts every area of our lives. It’s not compartmentalized to just spiritual matters but is interconnected with all aspects of our existence. When we fuel our lives with faith, we find that it influences our decisions, relationships, and even our responses to challenges." [32:06]( | | )

5. "Continuous prayer is crucial. Like the persistent widow in scripture, we are reminded that persistent, faith-filled prayer is powerful and effective. It’s not about the eloquence of our words but the persistence and belief behind them that aligns us with God’s will." [23:16]( | | )

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