Day 5 January 13, 2022
Today’s Focus: Faith that Believes and Does.
Action has to be part of our faith. They work together. Faith in motion.
We were not created to sit idle. We were created to do good work.
Ephesian 2:8-10 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Good works follow faith. They are a result of our faith. Good works are evidence of our faith.
Once I truly grasp all that Jesus has done for me and does for me, there is no other response other than “here I am, send me.”
Great faith is not found in the stands. The fruit is at the end of the branch.
May we have a perfect balance (internal faith balanced
CS Lewis Regarding the debate about faith and works: It's like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most important.
James 2:21-22 (NIV) 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
We are all on a journey. It’s not one and done. It’s a process all for the glory of God and to encourage one another.
How do we have a year of great faith?
Embrace that Great faith is active.
No matter what happens, every day and every moment I’m going to live a life of active faith.
James 1:22 (NIV) 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Matthew 7:24 (NIV) 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Phil. 4:13 (NIV) 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
DL Moody “Every Bible should be bound in shoe leather.” We have the shoes fit with readiness.
One prayer we need to pray every day, “Lord, what is my assignment?”
Praying with your spouse. Blessing those who may hurt you. Sharing your faith with others.
When we serve (like on the Dream Team) it opens avenues for living out our faith.
Great Faith is Obedient:
Obedience needs to be our middle name.
Abraham was obedient but he had plenty of fear and failure. Yet he is a “hero” of faith in Hebrews 11.
Peter had some failures in his life. Yet God still used him greatly.
Obedience is doing what God has called me to do in this moment leaving the results with God.
Some assignments will not make any sense. It’s about pursuit not perfection.
Our faith journey is all of these assignments of our partnership with God. Our level of faith is commensurate with our obedience.
This could be the best year of your life if we are obedient and growing in our faith.
John 13:17 (NIV) 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Blessings follow obedience. If you step out in great faith, blessings will follow.
