“We also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)
“According to your faith will it be done to you.” Matthew 9:29 (NIV)
“The message they heard was of no value to them,because those who heard did not combine it with faith.” Hebrews 4:2 (NIV
My FAITH releases the POWER OF GOD’S WORD in my life.
HOW CAN I COMBINE THE WORD WITH FAITH?
CHOOSE TO READ IT
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you . . . I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” Psalm 119:11, 16 (NIV)
Use whatever time you have but take your time while using it.
“If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (ESV)
Action Plan: If you don’t have a daily quiet time, schedule one like you would a business meeting. During this time (whatever time you have), read slowly, think about what you read, and talk to God about it throughout the day.
CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IT
“I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.” Psalm 119:30 (NIV
Biblical faith is choosing to believe something is true because you believe someone is truthful.
“I know whomI have believed and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him.” 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)
CHOOSE TO DECLARE IT
“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”Matthew 17:20 (NIV)
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope.” Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
“The tongue has the power of life and death.” Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
When you say what God says, you begin to think like God thinks.
Action Plan: How often do you talk about the Bible and faith in your home? Try to start having more conversations with your family about God and your faith
CHOOSE TO ACT ON IT
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 (NIV)
“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
- Every one of us is building a life.
- A storm is coming.
- The wise man believes in storms. The fool does not.
- The house that falls, falls when it is needed most.
- Don’t wait for the storm to start building on the right foundation.
We prove we believe by how we behave.
When you act on God’s Word, God’s Word act’s on you.
Action Plan: Learn about habits for spiritual growth by taking CLASS 201 this weekend at a campus near you.Click herefor more information.
Doable Discipleship: This week’s episode of Doable Discipleship features an interview with Men’s Pastor Tom Kang about his favorite person in the Bible. To watch or listen, click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week’s Talk It Over, click here.