Belief

October 22nd – Matthew 25:23

Matthew 25:23

Faithfulness doesn’t always look impressive. Instead, it’s often woven quietly into the fabric of our everyday lives. A good and faithful servant is one who keeps showing up, even when it’s hard. Who prays when no one’s listening, forgives when it hurts, gives when it costs, and loves when it’s not returned. Jesus said, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” and those are the words our hearts long to hear one day. What makes a servant good and faithful isn’t perfection, it’s perseverance. It’s trusting God in the unseen, obeying Him in the small things, and remaining steady when the world grows weary. God notices the quiet sacrifices, the unseen acts of kindness, and the heart that serves with joy. What feels ordinary to us is holy to Him. So we keep walking, loving, and believing, because every small step of faith is shaping something eternal. And one day, when we see His face, every act of obedience will shine with glory.

October 22nd – Matthew 25:23 Read More »

September 24th – 2 Timothy 2:24-25

Week 4 – Wisdom in Facing Opposition (2 Timothy 2:24-25)

It’s easy to get swept up in anger when someone opposes our faith, beliefs, or feelings. In these moments frustration can rise, and our human nature might push us to respond harshly. But as followers of Jesus, we are called to a higher standard, as laid out by the apostle Paul. The Lord’s servant is to be gentle, patient, and kind, even when wronged. Instead of allowing anger to control us, we should respond with wisdom, showing grace and love in our words and actions. This doesn’t mean we shy away from truth, but we present it with the hope that God will work in the hearts of those who oppose us. Our goal is not to win arguments, but to lead others toward repentance and the knowledge of the truth. By staying calm and speaking kindly, we reflect Christ’s character and create opportunities for God to soften hardened hearts. It’s through this gentle approach that we can truly make an impact, trusting that God will open their eyes in His time.

Questions For Reflection

  1. How can we practice responding with gentleness and patience when someone challenges or opposes our faith, rather than reacting with frustration or anger?
  1. In what ways can we show kindness and grace to those who disagree with us, while still standing firm in the truth of God’s Word, as encouraged in 2 Timothy 2:24-25?

Kindness and patience are the strongest tools in sharing God’s truth. Let grace do the talking. 🙏🏻❤️

September 24th – 2 Timothy 2:24-25 Read More »

August 7th – Mark 11:22-24

Week 1 – Understanding Faith (Mark 11:22-24)

Joni Earedkson Tada once said, “Faith isn’t the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.” In Mark, Jesus underscores the immense power of having faith in God’s omnipotence. We are encouraged to approach prayer with boldness and unwavering belief, confident that God is capable of achieving the impossible. However, this faith must be rooted in a sincere desire for God’s will to prevail above all else. Our prayers should align with His divine plan, trusting that He knows what is best for us and the world around us. When we pray with this kind of faith, we acknowledge God’s supreme authority and wisdom, submitting our desires to His greater purpose. This alignment ensures that our prayers are not just wishful thinking but powerful declarations of trust in God’s perfect will. By embracing this mindset, we can pray with conviction and courage, knowing that our faith in God’s power will bring about His divine outcomes.

Questions for Reflection

  1. How can we develop and maintain a strong faith in God’s power, allowing us to pray boldly and confidently, trusting that He is capable of accomplishing the impossible?
  1. In what ways can we ensure our prayers align with God’s will, seeking His guidance and submitting our desires to His greater purpose, especially when faced with difficult situations?

With faith as strong as mountains, our prayers reach the heart of God’s will. 🙏🏻❤️

August 7th – Mark 11:22-24 Read More »

August 6th – 2 Corinthians 5:7

Week 1 – Understanding Faith  (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Paul calls us, as believers, to walk by faith, not by sight. This means living a life rooted in faith in Jesus, despite never having seen Him with our own eyes. And having a belief in Him, His promises, and His teachings, which is wholehearted and unwavering. We trust in the Lord’s words and the truths of the Gospel, which guide our daily lives and decisions. Our focus isn’t on the visible, temporary circumstances around us, but on the unseen and eternal promise of being with Jesus forever. This faith anchors us in the hope of an everlasting future with Him. Walking by faith means relying on God’s promises, even when we face uncertainties and challenges. It’s a commitment to trust in His plan, knowing that our ultimate destination is an eternity spent at His side. This perspective shifts our priorities, helping us to live with purpose and peace, confident in the assurance of His eternal love and presence.

Questions for Reflection –

  1. How can we practice living by faith daily, especially during times of uncertainty or difficulty, to ensure our trust remains firmly rooted in God’s promises rather than our immediate circumstances?
  1. What steps can we take to shift our focus from the temporary and visible aspects of life to the eternal and unseen promises of God, cultivating a deeper sense of hope and purpose?

Faith is our guide, leading us through the unseen to the heart of God’s promises. 🙏🏻❤️

August 6th – 2 Corinthians 5:7 Read More »

August 1st – Hebrews 11:1-6

Week 1 – Understanding Faith (Hebrews 11:1-6)

Faith is the confident belief in God’s promises, even when they’re not yet visible. The apostle Paul tells us that faith is essential to our relationship with God. Because it both pleases Him and is the foundation of our trust in His character and Word. Through faith, we understand that the universe was created by God’s command, revealing the power and reality of the unseen. The examples of Abel, Enoch, and others show that faith is not just a mental agreement but an active trust that influences our actions and decisions. Abel’s offering was accepted because it was given in faith, and Enoch was taken to heaven because he walked faithfully with God. These examples encourage us to live lives that reflect our trust in God, knowing that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. This makes faith not passive, but dynamic, shaping how we perceive the world and interact with God. It’s a vital, living connection to the divine. And it inspires us to act with confidence in God’s promises.

Questions for Reflection –

  1. How can we incorporate the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen into our daily decisions and actions to strengthen our trust in God’s promises?
  1. In what practical ways can we demonstrate our faith in God, as exemplified by Abel and Enoch, to ensure that our lives reflect a dynamic and active trust in His unseen reality?

Believe in the unseen and let hope light your way! Trust that God’s promises are just a heartbeat of faith away. 🙏🏻❤️

 

August 1st – Hebrews 11:1-6 Read More »

June 16th – Romans 5:1

Romans 5:1

How wonderfully freeing it is to know we are made right with God through our belief in Jesus Christ, not by our own efforts. Like a weight being lifted from our shoulders, this justification brings us great peace. It transforms our relationship with God from one of distance, to intimate harmony. To be justified by faith is to trust fully in God’s grace and the redemptive work of Christ, acknowledging that nothing we can do on our own can secure this reconciliation. It’s an assurance that despite our flaws, weaknesses, and mistakes, we are accepted and loved by our Heavenly Father. Giving us a deep and abiding peace. A peace which calms our anxieties and fears, rooting us in the certainty of God’s unwavering love and forgiveness. Through this justification, we experience freedom from the burden of guilt and the constant striving for perfection. Allowing us to rest in God’s grace. Justification by faith alone opens the door to a life of serenity, joy, and a secure future with God.

June 16th – Romans 5:1 Read More »

May 4th – Titus 2:13

Titus 2:13

Hope can be defined as a desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment, someone or something on which hopes are centered, or to expect with confidence. In Titus 2:13, we are reminded of our blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This hope is not mere wishful thinking, but a confident expectation grounded in the promises of God. It is the anticipation of the completion of God’s redemptive plan, when Jesus will return in glory to establish His kingdom on earth. Our blessed hope is the anchor for our souls, sustaining us through trials and tribulations as we eagerly await His coming. It reminds us that this world is not our final home, but that we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom, destined for eternal life with our Savior. As we look forward to His return, let us live with purpose and anticipation, striving to live holy and godly lives in this present age. And let us encourage one another with the truth of our blessed hope, knowing that the day of His coming draws ever nearer.

May 4th – Titus 2:13 Read More »

November 9th – Romans 10:14

Romans 10:14 

I am thankful to have received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior

In the book of Joel we get a wonderful declaration from God. “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord, will be delivered.”(Joel 2:32) How awesome is that? But the apostle Paul teaches God’s promise comes with a condition. He warns that we can play the part of a Christian, confessing Jesus as Lord. But unless we truly believe it in our hearts, and show it in our actions, it isn’t genuine faith. And if our faith isn’t real, how can we call on Christ for deliverance? How can we turn to Him for help, if we truly haven’t made Him Lord and Savior of our lives? But then Paul goes one step further. How can anyone receive Jesus if they haven’t heard of Him? And how can they hear of Him if no one is preaching the saving grace of Jesus to them? Our loving Father promises victory to all who are truly His. And out of thankfulness for His saving grace, we need to share the message of that grace to others!

November 9th – Romans 10:14 Read More »

July 3rd – 1 Peter 1:8

1 Peter 1:8

I can remember as a little girl singing in Sunday school, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart…” I love that song! Even now I can’t hear it without singing along. Because I do have joy in my heart. Joy over the love and fellowship I have with Jesus. Drawing from His unending love, Christ came in the flesh to save you and to save me. And the privilege of having a relationship with my Savior overflows me with gladness! Unlike Peter, I have yet to meet my Lord. But even if  I have not yet been physically touched by Him, I have been touched by His love, mercy, goodness, and care. John tells us that blessed are we who believe without seeing. (John 20:29) But I think the greatest blessing of all, is the inexpressible, glorious joy of knowing how much we are loved by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

July 3rd – 1 Peter 1:8 Read More »

January 21st – Mark 5:36

Mark 5:36

There’s no better barometer for the depth of our faith than when we’re in the middle of a crisis, or knee deep in fear. The synagogue official Jarius had just lost his daughter. And he came to Jesus in search of a miracle. But instead of comforting him Jesus told the man, “Just believe.” Christian theologian, John Walvoord once said, “Believing is accepting as a fact and making a commitment of your own future to the promises of God to save you; simply by believing in Christ.” When our hearts are broken, our fears overwhelming, and our spirits in turmoil, it is our belief in God and His promises that gets us through. For the “Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.” (Ps. 145:9) Those around Jarius told him to give up and move on. But because Jarius choose belief over fear Jesus gave Jarius that miracle. And when we too obey Jesus and “just believe”, He will work miracles for us as well!

January 21st – Mark 5:36 Read More »