Displaying items by tag: Faith

Joyce Meyer (June-30-2022) Daily Devotional: The Shield of Faith

The devil attacks us in a variety of ways, but we can always have the victory if we will lift up the shield of faith against him at the onset of his attack. Recently, early in the morning, he attacked my mind with critical thoughts about several people I know, and this morning it was fear and worry. Both times, the Holy Spirit made me aware of what was happening, and I released my faith in God by remembering the faithfulness of God and trusting Him to take care of everything that was attempting to annoy me. I also replaced the wrong thoughts with good ones, because that is one way that we overcome evil with good (see Romans 12:21).

When the devil is attacking, we dare not be passive and do nothing. We must come against him. We submit ourselves to God and His Word, and we resist the devil, and he flees (see James 4:7). No matter what lie the devil is whispering to your mind, don’t believe him, but instead wield (use) the sword of the Spirit that is the Word of God. Replace thoughts of criticism with thoughts of humility and love. Replace fear and worry with trust and confidence. Faith is a shield, and it will protect us in every battle if we will “lift” it up by simply declaring our trust in God.

Prayer Starter: Father, always reveal to me when the devil is attacking me and remind me of relevant Scriptures to replace the evil thoughts he is suggesting. Help me lift up my shield of faith at all times. Thank You!

John MacArthur (June-28-2022) Daily Devotional: Dead Faith Versus Demonic Faith

"Someone may well say, 'You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.' You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?" (James 2:18-20).

Even demonic faith is better than dead faith!

In recent years there has been an alarming rise in the number of professing Christians who believe that there's no necessary relationship between what they believe and what they do. They say you can't judge a person's spiritual condition by what he or she does because salvation is a matter of faith alone—as if requiring works violates the principle of faith.

It was that kind of reasoning that prompted James to issue this challenge: "You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18). The Greek word translated "show" means "to exhibit," "demonstrate," or "put on display." His point is simple: it's impossible to verify true faith apart from holy living because doctrine and deed are inseparable.

Can you know if someone is a Christian by watching his behavior? According to James, that's the only way to know! In verse 19 he says, "You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." In other words, affirming orthodox doctrine isn't necessarily proof of saving faith. Demons believe in the oneness of God, and its implications fill them with fear, but they aren't saved. The phrase "you do well" is intentionally sarcastic. The implication is that demonic faith is better than non-responsive faith because at least the demons shudder, which is better than no response at all.

You can't be a Christian in creed only—you must be one in conduct as well! James makes that very clear. Don't be confused or deceived by those who teach otherwise. Continually aim your life at bringing glory to God through obedient application of biblical truth.

Suggestions for Prayer

• Reaffirm to the Lord your commitment to abide by His Word.

For Further Study

• Read John 8:12-47. Make a list of doctrines and deeds that characterize dead faith and a corresponding list of those that characterize true faith.

John MacArthur (June-27-2022) Daily Devotional: Exposing Dead Faith

"What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,' and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself" (James 2:14-17).

Dead faith is hypocritical, shallow, and useless.

Jesus said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). Your righteous deeds illuminate the path to God by reflecting His power and grace to others. That brings Him glory and proves your faith is genuine.

Your deeds also serve as the basis of divine judgment. If you practice righteousness, you will receive eternal life; if you practice unrighteousness, you will receive "wrath and indignation" (Rom. 2:6-8). God will judge you on the basis of your deeds because what you do reveals who you really are and what you really believe. That's why any so-called faith that doesn't produce good works is dead and utterly useless!

James illustrates that point in a practical way. If someone lacks the basic necessities of life and comes to you for help, what good does it do if you simply wish him well and send him away without meeting any of his needs? It does no good at all! Your pious words are hypocritical and without substance. If you really wished him well, you would do what you can to give him what he needs! Your unwillingness to do so betrays your true feelings. Similarly, dead faith is hypocritical, shallow, and useless because it doesn't put its claims into action—indeed, it has no divine capacity to do so.

I pray that your life will always manifest true faith and that others will glorify God because of your good works.

Suggestions for Prayer

• Perhaps you know someone whose claim to Christianity is doubtful because his or her life doesn't evidence the fruit of righteousness. If so, pray for that person regularly and set an example by your own good works.

For Further Study

Read John 15:1-8.

• What illustration did Jesus use for spiritual fruitfulness?
• What is the prerequisite for fruitfulness?

Michael Todd - Watch Sermon: Do You Know Your "Faith Circle"? (Part 1). On Transformation Church's sermon series, Crazyer Faith, Pastor Michael Todd teaches on why we need a "circle of faith." Listen as he explains that who we listen to can positively or negatively impact our faith walk.

Kenneth Copeland - Watch Sermon: Faith Is the Creative Power of God. Faith is a spiritual force! Join Kenneth Copeland and Professor Greg Stephens on Believer’s Voice of Victory as they teach how faith is the creative power of God. Learn how this creative power has been breathed into your very being and how to release it in your life!

David Jeremiah - Watch Sermon: Believe: The Positive Power of Faith. With our future secured, Christians ought to be the most upbeat and positive of people. So why do many of us tend to be so gloomy and discouraged? Dr. David Jeremiah considers how to embrace a more cheerful outlook by examining one of the Bible’s greatest optimists: the Apostle Paul.

Michael Todd - Watch Sermon: Whoever Has Your Ear Also Has Your Faith. On Transformation Church's sermon series, Crazyer Faith, Pastor Michael Todd teaches that whoever has your ear also has your faith. Listen as he explains that faith comes by hearing, so you must ask yourself: who is in your ear?

Bill Winston (June-13-2022) Weekly Devotional: The Blessing is Received By Faith

SCRIPTURE:
So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. (Isaiah 30:18 NLT)

DEVOTIONAL:
The Blessing Is Received by Faith
God is a God of love, and His desire is for you to be abundantly blessed. He wants you to have everything that belongs to you in His Word. The Blessing is designed to give you your inheritance and take back everything the enemy has stolen from you. The Blessing will fix whatever may be broken in your life, but for it to operate, faith is a requirement.

Dutch Sheets (June 11 2022) Watch Daily Prayer: Unshakable Faith | Give Him 15

Joyce Meyer (June-11-2022) Daily Devotional: Overcome Fear with Faith

Have you ever thought how great it would be if you could live without ever having to deal with fear?

Of course, there are healthy fears that alert you to danger in time to avoid it—and these are good because they protect you. But there are many other fears Satan tries to put on you that are not legitimate concerns. They are “False Evidence Appearing Real,” and they are intended to keep you from having the power, love, and sound mind God wants you to have.

Fear is a spirit that must be confronted head on—it will not just go away. But God has given you the power to boldly confront our fear and break its hold on your life.

So, when fear knocks on your door, send faith to answer!

Prayer Starter: Lord, I know that that I must confront fear because it won’t go away on its own. Please help me fight fear with faith, amen.