Tag: Authentic Faith

Authentic Faith- Day 8

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional11 Comments

authentic faith Devotions for Thursday, August 11, 2011

Today’s passage is a little more heavy.  If you have a hard time understanding or need clarification, don’t hesitate to ask.

Romans 5:1-5

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Pastor Ben’s Commentary:
-“Justified” here means that God sees us as right with Him and treats us that way based on faith.
-Faith in what?  Jesus Christ.  Jesus’ righteousness or right standing with God is given to us.  That is justification.  When we trust in Jesus as the Way we are made right with God, our faith in Him leads us into a right relationship with God.

Here are some questions you can answer about today’s passage to help you understand:

  1.  Paul, the writer of this letter (Romans) tells us that our justification gives us three other things.  What are they? (v.2)

  2. Paul also says that our justification leads to us being able to take “glory in tribulations” (tribulations mean difficult circumstances).  Why did he say that tribulations would be good?

I’ll make sure the questions are answered tomorrow!

Application:

1.  My salvation was made possible and given to me by God, not me.  There is absolutely nothing I could do to earn it.  It was earned for me by Jesus Christ.

2. Faith in Jesus doesn’t just lead to hope one day, but hope now.  God has a purpose in everything that comes into our lives.  He wants us to learn patience, experience, and hope- the kind of hope that makes us bold about how we live our lives for Him.

Faith is the right response to God’s love in sending Jesus!

Authentic Faith- Day 7

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional28 Comments

authentic faith Devotions for Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Reflection Series Continues tonight!
Tonight is going to rock at H2O as we finish up the Reflection series.  Make plans to be there!

Now to today’s Devotion:

John 20:24-31

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.29 Jesus saith unto him,Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Pastor Ben’s Commentary:
-This passage tells the story of what happened with Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples.
-When Jesus first appeared to the disciples Thomas was not there.
-When they told Thomas that they had seen Jesus alive after he died Thomas was skeptical. Thomas didn’t believe. He was so skeptical that he told them he would have to see and touch Jesus to actually believe it to be true.
-Thomas was wrong though. When Jesus appeared again, Thomas was there, and Jesus gave Thomas the opportunity to see and touch Him. Thomas didn’t have to touch Him at all, but rather proclaimed “My Lord and My God.”
-The passage goes on to say that Jesus did all kinds of things that aren’t even contained in the rest of the book of John.
-The author then goes on to say that what is written is there so that WE MAY BELIEVE! THAT IS FAITH!
Application:
1. Those who believe in Jesus even when they haven’t seen Him will be blessed! That is faith! Faith believes what it can’t see. That doesn’t mean that there is not evidence to believe in Jesus, it just means that where we can’t see or understand we choose to trust in God.
2. The purpose of the Bible is that we might have faith in God. The purpose that John states here for the book of John isn’t really different from that of any other book of the Bible. The whole Bible is about God’s interaction in human history in revealing Himself to man, and redeeming man to Himself.
3. One day faith will become sight. Just like it was for Thomas, we will see Jesus one day. There will come a day when the Bible says that “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” One day we shall see Him and know Him better than we ever have!
4. Our faith in Jesus must lead us to making Him known. The only gospel that many people will ever read is our lives. Is your faith in God leading you to help make Him known to others?

One day faith will become sight!

Authentic Faith- Day 6

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional21 Comments

authentic faith

Devotions for Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Luke 18:1-8

And he spake a parable unto them to this end , that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:1-8)

Pastor Ben’s Commentary:
Today’s passage and commentary will be short, but don’t let that make you think that it isn’t important or profound.

Jesus is teaching on the relationship to prayer and faith. He gives the example of a “judge” (same word as deliverer). Even a judge who does not care about God or others is moved by persistence. Jesus says that God is moved by our persistent prayer even more than the unjust judge is moved by the persistence of the widow who makes requests to him.

Application:
Persistent prayer shows faith in God. Our faith pleases God.. Is there something you need? Have you prayed about it?

Persistent prayer shows authentic faith in God.

Authentic Faith- Day 5

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional11 Comments

authentic faith

First Day of School for Charlotte
Hey all you Charlotte County students- I’ve prayed for you this morning and I hope you have a great day. Don’t forget what you learned this summer, and make efforts today to connect with God and connect Him to others.

Ok, on to our devotions…

Devotions for Monday, August 8, 2011
Mark 9:14-29

And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. (Mark 9:14-29)

Pastor Ben’s Commentary:
Jesus approaches the disciples and sees that they have got a crowd gathered and are being questioned by the scribes (religious leaders at the time.) Apparently there was some debate at the time over what to do with a child that was demon possessed. This was a real problem because this child was being controlled by another spirit that was trying to destroy him and others.

When Jesus got to the disciples he asked what they were debating about. A man in the crowd claimed to be the boys father and told Jesus of their problem. The disciples told Jesus that they had tried to help the boy but couldn’t. They couldn’t understand why they hadn’t been able to help the boy since after following Jesus they had been able to do some pretty amazing things. Jesus equated their inability to help the boy with a lack of faith when He said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.”

Jesus cast out the demon and healed the boy. Everyone was astonished at what happened, including the disciples. They asked Jesus why the couldn’t do what he had done. Jesus said that to do this kind of thing it takes prayer and fasting.
Application:
1. There is a direct connection to your faith and your prayer life. When Jesus heard that they couldn’t help the boy, he mentions their lack of faith as the reason. Later on, when they asked why they couldn’t do it, He mentioned that to be effective their must be prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting helps to increase your faith, or your trust in God.

  1. Your faith effects others positively or negatively. These disciples couldn’t do what was needed to help the young man because of their lack of faith. When you have faith in God it helps those around you. When you lack faith in God it hurts those around you. It’s as simple as that.

Application Questions:
Here are some questions you guys can answer today that may help spur on a little discussion.

  1. How do you think prayer helps your own prayer life?
  2. How do you think a strong faith in God could help other people?
  3. How do you think a weak faith in God could hurt those around you?

Take a few minutes today to pray for God to help grow your faith in Him!