Unwavering Hope: A Journey of Faith and Light
Summary
Summary:
On this blessed Sabbath morning, I am thrilled to share a message of hope and faith with you. Today, we gather in our homes, yet we remain united in spirit, celebrating the presence of Jesus among us. The focus of our time together is the unwavering hope that God provides, a hope that assures us of His constant pursuit and presence in our lives. I am reminded of my mother's powerful testimony, which serves as a beacon of hope and faith. Around Thanksgiving, she faced a daunting challenge—a brain tumor. Yet, through her journey, we witnessed God's miraculous work and unwavering faithfulness.
My mother, despite the uncertainty and fear, remained steadfast in her faith. She declared, "I don't do darkness; I only do righteousness," a testament to her trust in God's light overcoming any darkness. Her words were prophetic, as the doctors later confirmed her vision of a dark tumor surrounded by light. This journey was not just about physical healing but a spiritual awakening, as she continuously testified to the power of Jesus, even in the hospital corridors.
Her story is a reminder that we reap what we sow. Years ago, we sowed seeds of faith and service at the very hospital where she received her life-saving surgery. This divine orchestration is a testament to God's providence and the power of sowing in the Spirit. As we navigate our own challenges, we are encouraged to wait on the Lord, trusting in His higher ways and perfect timing. Our testimonies are ongoing, filled with hope and the promise of God's continued work in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Hope in the Midst of Darkness: My mother's journey with a brain tumor illustrates the profound truth that God's light can surround and overcome any darkness. Her declaration, "I don't do darkness; I only do righteousness," reminds us to focus on God's light and righteousness, even when faced with daunting challenges. [08:37]
2. The Power of Prophetic Faith: Before seeing any medical images, my mother prophetically described her tumor as a dark spot surrounded by light. This faith-filled vision was later confirmed by doctors, demonstrating the power of speaking life and truth over our circumstances, trusting that God is at work even when we cannot see it. [13:23]
3. Sowing and Reaping in the Spirit: Our past acts of service at the hospital where my mother received her surgery highlight the biblical principle of sowing and reaping. By sowing seeds of faith and kindness, we position ourselves to receive God's blessings and provision in our times of need. [18:38]
4. Enduring Faith and Testimony: My mother's unwavering faith and testimony during her hospital stay serve as a powerful witness to those around her. Her story encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, continually testifying to God's goodness and power, regardless of our circumstances. [22:15]
5. The Ongoing Journey of Faith: Our testimonies are not static; they are ongoing narratives of God's work in our lives. As we wait on the Lord, we are reminded that His ways are higher than ours, and He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in us. [23:42]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:15] - Introduction to Hope
- [03:30] - My Mother's Testimony Begins
- [08:37] - The Diagnosis and Prophetic Words
- [13:23] - Surgery and Miraculous Recovery
- [14:16] - Witnessing in the Hospital
- [18:38] - Sowing and Reaping at the Hospital
- [20:46] - The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
- [22:15] - Encouragement to Wait on the Lord
- [23:42] - The Ongoing Testimony
- [26:34] - Prayer of Salvation
- [28:00] - Announcements and Vision Sunday
- [30:00] - Bible Reading Plan for the Year
- [31:00] - 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
- [32:18] - Closing and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 6:7 - "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."
2. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the prophetic vision that Pastor David's mother had about her tumor, and how was it confirmed by the doctors? [08:37]
2. How did Pastor David's mother demonstrate her faith during her hospital stay, and what impact did it have on those around her? [15:43]
3. What past actions of service did Pastor David and his mother engage in at the hospital, and how did these actions relate to the principle of sowing and reaping? [18:38]
4. How does Pastor David describe the ongoing nature of testimonies in the life of a believer? [23:42]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the story of Pastor David's mother illustrate the concept of "reaping what you sow" as described in Galatians 6:7? [20:46]
2. How does the sermon suggest that prophetic faith can influence our understanding and response to challenging situations? [13:23]
3. What does the sermon imply about the role of personal testimonies in strengthening one's faith and the faith of others? [22:15]
4. How does Romans 8:28 relate to the experiences shared in the sermon, particularly in the context of waiting on the Lord? [23:42]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a challenging situation. How did you see God's light in the midst of that darkness, similar to Pastor David's mother's experience? [08:37]
2. Pastor David's mother declared, "I don't do darkness; I only do righteousness." How can you apply this mindset to a current challenge in your life? [08:37]
3. Consider the principle of sowing and reaping. What are some ways you can sow seeds of faith and kindness in your community this week? [18:38]
4. Pastor David's mother was a witness to others even during her hospital stay. How can you be a witness to those around you, regardless of your circumstances? [15:43]
5. The sermon emphasizes the ongoing nature of testimonies. What is a recent testimony in your life that you can share with others to encourage their faith? [23:42]
6. How can you practice patience and trust in God's timing, especially when you feel like your prayers are not being answered immediately? [22:15]
7. Romans 8:28 speaks of God working all things for good. How can you remind yourself of this truth when facing uncertainty or difficulty? [23:42]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Light Overcomes Darkness
In times of darkness, it can be challenging to see beyond the immediate struggles and fears. However, the story of a woman facing a brain tumor reminds us that God's light is ever-present, even in the darkest moments. Her declaration, "I don't do darkness; I only do righteousness," serves as a powerful reminder to focus on God's light and righteousness. This focus on divine light can transform our perspective, allowing us to see beyond the immediate challenges and trust in God's ability to overcome any darkness. Her journey illustrates that when we align ourselves with God's righteousness, we invite His light to illuminate our path, providing hope and assurance in the midst of uncertainty. [08:37]
Isaiah 60:1-2 (ESV): "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel surrounded by darkness? How can you invite God's light into that situation today?
Day 2: Speaking Life and Truth
The power of prophetic faith is evident in the story of a woman who, before any medical confirmation, described her tumor as a dark spot surrounded by light. This vision, later confirmed by doctors, highlights the importance of speaking life and truth over our circumstances. By declaring God's promises and truths, we align ourselves with His work, even when we cannot see it. This act of faith is not about denying reality but about trusting in God's greater reality and His ability to bring light into our darkest situations. It encourages us to speak words of life, hope, and truth, trusting that God is at work in ways we may not yet understand. [13:23]
2 Corinthians 4:13-14 (ESV): "Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, 'I believed, and so I spoke,' we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence."
Reflection: What is one truth from God's Word that you need to declare over your life today? How can speaking this truth change your perspective?
Day 3: The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
The biblical principle of sowing and reaping is beautifully illustrated in the story of a family who had previously sown seeds of faith and service at a hospital. When the time came for the woman's surgery, they reaped the blessings of those seeds. This principle teaches us that our actions, whether acts of kindness, faith, or service, have a lasting impact. By sowing in the Spirit, we position ourselves to receive God's blessings and provision in our times of need. It encourages us to be intentional in our actions, knowing that what we sow today can bring forth a harvest of blessings in the future. [18:38]
Galatians 6:7-9 (ESV): "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Reflection: What seeds of faith and kindness can you sow today? How can you be intentional in your actions to ensure a future harvest of blessings?
Day 4: The Power of Testimony
The unwavering faith and testimony of a woman during her hospital stay serve as a powerful witness to those around her. Her story encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, continually testifying to God's goodness and power, regardless of our circumstances. Our testimonies have the power to inspire and encourage others, pointing them to the hope and faithfulness of God. By sharing our stories, we not only strengthen our own faith but also become a source of encouragement and hope for others, demonstrating the transformative power of God's work in our lives. [22:15]
Psalm 71:15-16 (ESV): "My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone."
Reflection: Who can you share your testimony with today? How can your story of God's faithfulness encourage someone else in their journey?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Ongoing Work
Our testimonies are not static; they are ongoing narratives of God's work in our lives. As we wait on the Lord, we are reminded that His ways are higher than ours, and He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in us. This ongoing journey of faith requires patience and trust, knowing that God is continually at work, even when we cannot see it. It encourages us to remain hopeful and expectant, trusting in God's perfect timing and His ability to bring about His purposes in our lives. [23:42]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust in God's ongoing work? How can you cultivate patience and hope as you wait for His perfect timing?
Quotes
And I just wanted to bring that back to you and just show you how God works, what he does and how he does things because he's always working, right? He's always in the midst doing something, leading us through something we're on a journey with him and we just got to trust in who he is and in your circumstance he is working even right now if you don't believe that or not God is working in your circumstance and there are many times that we don't wait on him to fulfill and complete everything that he's trying to do in our life we get a little panic we try to control it ourself and we need to wait on the Lord because he is working some things out and I just want to give you that hope through this testimony of my mother and so if you guys remember is around Thanksgiving this happened and it was the Sunday right before Thanksgiving my mom pulled up to the front door of the church to come in for church service that Sunday morning and she really couldn't kind of get out of the car motor skills weren't looking right or whatever and so I decided to send her to the emergency room and then I came up here and preached my message and then after my message I went to find her and Stacy to see where they were and this testimony is so powerful because it all took place in about seven days until she was back here in the church on a first Wednesday night so let me tell you a little bit about that what happened. [00:08:37] (104 seconds)
And why that's so powerful is because I thought of Herman Memorial on Beamer Street because we used to go witness there. Back in 2019, I had a small group that met at my house. My mom was part of that small group and we would take two rolling carts. We'd fill one with snacks and one with cold drinks. And we would go down to Memorial Herman to the emergency room and we would go in there and we would give people snacks and drinks. And if they would allow us, we'd pray over them. And we would just witness to everybody. In the emergency room. They'd been there for several hours. They were hungry. And my mom was there with us. And then we would go walk the halls of the hospital and witness and pray to people and giving drinks and snacks and just witness there. We do that once a month out of all of our four Wednesdays. Once a month, we would go to Herman Memorial and walk the halls and pass out snacks and pray and witness to people. And my mom walked those hallways, walked that emergency room, praying with people and witnessing to people. And here we are. That's the hospital that came to our mind to send her there. [00:18:58] (71 seconds)
And what I want to share with you, church, is we didn't know that, that that was happening. We were just going there to serve and be a witness. But you reap what you sow. Amen, church. You reap what you sow. And my mom would go and sow in that emergency room and sow in those hallways just to be a witness to Jesus Christ. And now she has a situation that happens. We go to that same hospital that connected to this great doctor because she was sowing there and God blessed her with what she needed to get through that surgery. Amen. Praise the Lord, somebody. Galatians 6, 7 says, do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh from the flesh will reap destruction. Whoever sows to please the spirit from the spirit will reap eternal life. Amen, somebody. You are going to reap what you sow. My mom was reaping or sowing in the spirit and she reaped. Through the spirit in her time of me. What a powerful testimony. [00:19:59] (77 seconds)
And I'm sharing this testimony with you again, church, because I wanted it to go out to the world. I wanted you to hear it. I wanted to show you the hope that we have in Jesus. If we continue to stay the course that he's laid out for us, that he will provide and he will answer our needs when we call upon him. This testimony that my mom had was five years ago. And I'm sharing this testimony with you again, church, because I want you to see what happened in that spot. And as you can see and just see that, it's not 20 years. It's 10, 20 years long. It started in 2019. We are praying all the weight today that we were praying in that hospital, in 2019. And I'm here to tell you right now, my mother's testimony is not finished yet. Come on, somebody make some noise. My mother's testimony is not finished. The testimony is not done. It is up to this point, but there's more for her to do. So we wait on the Lord to continue to walk for his completion in what he's doing in our lives. Amen, somebody. [00:21:17] (60 seconds)
I want to tell you that his ways are higher than our way. And we need to wait upon the Lord and continue to talk to him and believe in him. And we need to go down the hallways of our lives where there's no end to the hallway with our hand lifted high, praising Jesus the entire way, not knowing the outcome, not knowing what's going to take place. But believing in who Jesus is, as my mom was a witness in that hospital, we need to do the same thing in our own life. I'm telling you right now, if you're struggling with something like that, you need to keep praying. That's what the word tells us to do. Never stop praying for what you're seeking in the Lord. Amen. God is at work and we need to wait on him to bring us to completion for the full transformation. He has for you and me in our lives. Amen, church. We can never stop praying. [00:23:14] (61 seconds)
Know that he is going to work all things out for good as it tells us in Romans 8, 28. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love him, to those who are called according to his purpose. And this is my prayer for you today. As you sit here and watch this in your living room around your family, I'm praying right now that your testimony will never end. Amen. Amen. There is hope in your testimony and there will be chapters and seasons in your testimony, but it will keep on going and testifying who Jesus is because there is hope in the Lord for you. Why? Because Jesus lives inside of you and he loves you. And you are the hope of the world because he is the hope of the world. When Jesus left this earth, he left it for you and I to go out and be a witness. a light in a place that's dark so that the light surrounds the darkness and has nowhere to go but to experience light. Amen. We need to be the witness. I'm telling you, there's hope for you in Jesus. Continue to pray and walk with the Lord. Amen, church. [00:23:42] (86 seconds)
And you are the hope of the world because he is the hope of the world. When Jesus left this earth, he left it for you and I to go out and be a witness. a light in a place that's dark so that the light surrounds the darkness and has nowhere to go but to experience light. Amen. We need to be the witness. I'm telling you, there's hope for you in Jesus. Continue to pray and walk with the Lord. Amen, church. I want to pray for you this morning. We've had some worship already. We're going to have a little more worship after this, but I want to pray for you real quick and just bring a blessing as we go on to 2025, just a couple more days away, that we go in celebrating our King of King and Lord of Lord. Amen, church. Come on, somebody. Just open your heart up to the Lord. [00:24:33] (54 seconds)
And so we want you to start doing this. If you've never read the Bible before, I want you to sit down and read the Bible on our app, and we'll be able to talk about it and communicate and share some things about it as we go through, as we see each other. Amen. And I want to show you how to do it real quick, because it starts on January. First, you go to your app. And if you see your app, you see that little circle right down there at the bottom. That's where the Bible app is. And then you click on that and it takes you to this next page. And down in the bottom, it shows the plan right there. It says plan. You click on plan and it will take you to January 1st and the first reading of what we're going to be going through the whole Bible in a year. Amen. [00:28:23] (45 seconds)
And then the last thing I'm going to share with you, and we're going to get into some worship as we got 21 days of prayer and fasting coming. We'll talk more about it on January 5th and get you ready for that so you can sign up and receive the calls and participate in that. Just know that that's coming. It's going to be a great time of praying and celebrating Jesus for 21 days as we pray and fast and press into the Lord for 2025. Amen, church. Well, God bless you. We love you. Thank you for inviting us into your home today, and we will see you January 5th at Vision Sunday. God bless y 'all. Have a great, great morning. Y 'all ready to [00:29:50] (43 seconds)
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