Small Choices, Big Impact: The Power of Faith

 

Summary

In today's message, I explored the profound impact of seemingly small things in our lives, emphasizing the power of our thoughts, words, choices, and attitudes. I drew parallels between our spiritual journey and the biblical narratives that illustrate the consequences of our actions, both positive and negative.

I began by discussing the importance of our thoughts, using the story of the woman with the issue of blood from Mark chapter 5 as an example. Her single thought, upon hearing about Jesus, led her to touch His garment and receive healing. This illustrates how one right thought, aligned with God's promises, can set us on a path toward the life He intends for us.

I then addressed the significance of the "little foxes" from Song of Solomon 2:15, which represent the small, seemingly insignificant issues that can ruin our lives if left unaddressed. Jesus also spoke about the importance of faithfulness in little things, as a precursor to being entrusted with greater responsibilities.

I highlighted the power of our words, referencing Proverbs 18:21, which states that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Our words can either build up or tear down, create mountains or move them. I encouraged the congregation to speak words of faith, as Jesus taught us to speak to our mountains, not about them.

The sermon also touched on the power of our choices, using the example of Adam and Eve's decision to eat the forbidden fruit, which had far-reaching consequences. I emphasized that our choices not only affect our own lives but also the lives of those around us.

Finally, I spoke about the importance of never stepping out of the fight of faith, using King David's story as a cautionary tale. When David chose to stay home from battle, he was tempted by Bathsheba, leading to a series of sinful actions. This teaches us that stepping out of the fight can expose us to temptations and wrong paths.

Key Takeaways:

- Our thoughts have the power to shape our destiny. Embracing a single, God-aligned thought can lead us to the life He has planned for us, just as the woman with the issue of blood reached out in faith and was healed. It's crucial to guard our minds and align our thoughts with God's Word. [01:05:51]

- The "little foxes" can cause great harm if ignored. It's the small, daily habits and decisions that build a life of success or failure. We must be vigilant in addressing these little issues before they grow into insurmountable problems. [43:41]

- Our words carry the power of life and death. Speaking words of faith can change our circumstances, while negative words can create barriers to God's blessings. We must choose to speak life into every situation. [51:38]

- Choices are a reflection of our free will and have a ripple effect on our lives and the lives of others. Making wise, God-honoring choices is essential for living a life that aligns with His purpose for us. [01:09:00]

- Never step out of the fight of faith. Like David, when we disengage from the spiritual battles we face, we open ourselves up to temptation and deviation from God's path. Stay in the fight, and trust God to lead you to victory. [01:22:08]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 5:25-34 - The story of the woman with the issue of blood.
2. Song of Solomon 2:15 - "Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom."
3. Proverbs 18:21 - "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

#### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 5:25-34, what was the woman's thought that led her to touch Jesus' garment, and what was the result of her action?
2. According to Song of Solomon 2:15, what do the "little foxes" represent, and why are they significant?
3. Proverbs 18:21 speaks about the power of the tongue. What are the two outcomes mentioned that our words can produce?
4. In the sermon, what example was given to illustrate the consequences of stepping out of the fight of faith? ([01:20:41])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5 illustrate the power of a single, faith-filled thought?
2. What are some "little foxes" in our daily lives that can cause significant harm if left unaddressed, as mentioned in the sermon? ([43:41])
3. How can our words, as described in Proverbs 18:21, either build up or tear down our faith and the faith of others around us?
4. Reflecting on King David's story, what are the dangers of stepping out of the fight of faith, and how can this lead to greater temptations? ([01:20:41])

#### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when a single thought significantly impacted your life, either positively or negatively. How can you ensure your thoughts align with God's promises? ([01:05:51])
2. Identify some "little foxes" in your life that you have been ignoring. What steps can you take this week to address these small issues before they grow into larger problems? ([43:41])
3. Reflect on your recent conversations. Have your words been more life-giving or destructive? What changes can you make to ensure you are speaking words of faith and encouragement? ([51:38])
4. Consider a recent choice you made that had a ripple effect on others. How can you make more God-honoring choices in the future to positively influence those around you? ([01:09:00])
5. Are there areas in your spiritual life where you have stepped out of the fight? What practical steps can you take to re-engage in the fight of faith and avoid temptations? ([01:22:08])
6. How can you guard your mind against negative thoughts and ensure that your thoughts are shaping your life in a way that aligns with God's will? ([53:30])
7. Reflect on a situation where you felt tempted to step out of the fight of faith. What strategies can you implement to stay committed and trust God for victory? ([01:22:08])

Devotional

Day 1: Thoughts Shape Our Destiny
Our minds are fertile ground where the seeds of our future are sown. The thoughts we entertain can either lead us to a life of fulfillment or down a path of despair. Like the woman with the issue of blood, a single thought can propel us towards a miracle or keep us bound in hopelessness. It is essential to cultivate a mindset that is saturated with the promises of God, allowing His Word to guide our thoughts and, consequently, our actions. By aligning our thoughts with divine truth, we set the stage for God's will to unfold in our lives. [01:05:51]

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." - Philippians 4:8 ESV

Reflection: What is one thought pattern you need to change to align more closely with God's Word, and how can you start making that change today?

Day 2: Vigilance Against the 'Little Foxes'
The small, often overlooked aspects of our daily lives can have a monumental impact on our spiritual health. Just as the 'little foxes' have the potential to ruin a vineyard, the seemingly insignificant habits and choices can undermine our walk with God. It is the accumulation of these small decisions that shapes the trajectory of our lives. Therefore, it is crucial to be vigilant and proactive in addressing these issues, ensuring that our daily actions reflect our commitment to God's purpose for us. [43:41]

"Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom." - Song of Solomon 2:15 ESV

Reflection: Identify a 'little fox' in your life that you've been ignoring and determine one step you can take today to address it.

Day 3: The Power of Our Words
Words are not merely sounds uttered into the air; they carry the power to create or destroy, to heal or to wound. As believers, we are called to use our words to speak life into every situation, following the example of Jesus who taught us to speak to our mountains, commanding them to move. By choosing to declare words of faith and hope, we can alter our circumstances and bring forth the reality of God's promises in our lives. [51:38]

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." - Proverbs 18:21 ESV

Reflection: What is one situation in your life where you need to start speaking words of faith, and what will you say?

Day 4: The Ripple Effect of Our Choices
Every choice we make sends ripples through the fabric of our lives and the lives of those around us. The decision of Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit is a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of our actions. Our choices reflect our free will and ultimately determine whether we live in alignment with God's will. By making wise decisions that honor God, we can ensure that our lives are built on a foundation that will withstand the tests and trials that come our way. [01:09:00]

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15 ESV

Reflection: Reflect on a recent choice you made. How did it align with God's will, and what can you learn from it for future decisions?

Day 5: Engaged in the Fight of Faith
The spiritual battles we face require our constant engagement. Like King David, when we step away from the fight, we become vulnerable to temptation and can stray from the path God has set before us. Remaining active in our faith and vigilant against the enemy's schemes is crucial for staying on course. By keeping our armor on and our hearts tuned to God's voice, we can navigate through life's challenges and emerge victorious. [01:22:08]

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." - Ephesians 6:13 ESV

Reflection: What does 'staying in the fight of faith' look like in your daily life, and how can you ensure you don't step out of it?

Quotes

- "Your success in life will be realized from you mastering the little things in life and learning how to leverage them." [47:14] ( | | )

- "The attitudes that you embrace in life are either going to empower you to prosper or they're going to empower you to fail." [49:04] ( | | )

- "The key to being entrusted with greater things in your life is to first be faithful with the little things that you've already been entrusted with." [45:01] ( | | )

- "A little foolishness can cause us some big-time problems... so a little foolishness gets into the life of a person who generally shows wisdom and it spoils his life." [46:24] ( | | )

- "Your life is shaped by your thoughts... be careful how you think, why? Because your life is shaped by your thoughts." [53:30] ( | | )

- "One wrong thought embraced can put you on an entirely different path than the one that God had for you to be on." [01:04:38] ( | | )

- "When you touch Jesus in faith, it makes all the difference in the world. She touched him in faith and when she touched him in faith, power went out of him and she was made whole." [01:07:06] ( | | )

- "Our choices impact those around us... your choices are going to impact the people in your world." [57:20] ( | | )

- "We can limit God with our bad attitude... I wonder how often your bad attitude has kept God from being able to move in your life." [50:24] ( | | )

- "Your words either build people up or tear them down, your words either produce faith or they produce fear and doubts." [51:38] ( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?