Focus on God's Works - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) September 6, 2022
John 14:11 - Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
Show me a person who's never struggled with their faith. I daresay such a person doesn't exist. The reason for this is that humans are made from dust (Psalm 103:14). They are extremely fragile and not just in body. Human minds are even more so, which is why we are encouraged to be very careful what we allow our minds to meditate on (Proverbs 4:23).
Nevertheless, throughout the Bible believers are told to trust God and have faith in Him (Mark 11:22). And God does many things to help us achieve this. God, in His grace, shows us His power through miracles in our lives as well as in the lives of others. He doesn't just do these things to show off. No, He does them for you and I. His power is manifested and made visible in this world so we can remember that our God is mighty and uncontestable.
Take a look at our scriptural basis. In it Jesus tells us to believe He is from God and if that's too hard for us, to believe in the good works He's done.
Now, why did He give us a 'compromise'? Because having lived among mortals, He understood humans (Hebrews 4:15). He knew that people would not believe in Him without a showing of God's power (John 4:48). That is why His ministry was filled with miracles. He healed the sick, raised the dead and turned water into wine so wedding guests could keep having fun. All to the glory of God.
If you're struggling to believe that God can do something for you, please know that He understands. Your faith level is not a shock to the Almighty. However, don't get complacent. Ask the Lord to increase your faith. And as you grow in that area, do as Jesus commanded and look to the evidence of His works. Open your journals and read over the blessings and miracles you've experienced. Seek out the testimonies of others. Read the Bible and take note of the miracles within it. Find God's word on your issue and pronounce it over and over. Do these things knowing that God has never failed and He won't start failing with you. There's nothing you're going through that can stomp Him for with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
Use these tools as the works spoken of in James 2:18 which discusses faith without works. By taking active steps to stand on the faithfulness of God, you are doing deeds that drive you in the direction of more faith instead of the direction of apathy and fear.
May the Lord bless you.
To read more:
Trust God - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) June 30, 2020
Rely on God, Not Man - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) July 21, 2020
Rely on God - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) March 9, 2021
Faith vs Trust - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) September 10, 2021
Listen, Obey, Trust - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) August 12, 2022
CLOSING PRAYER
Good God, You alone are responsible for this privilege to gather in honor of You. Thank You for the opportunity to join hands to praise Your name and pray for Your people. Take all the glory.
I lift up today's participants as well as those who will fellowship at a later point. May Your grace and mercy find them, Lord. Remember them for obeying Your word and thereby bless them. Reward them for turning their eyes and ears to You for You alone know all the ways satan tried to prevent this. I also lift up 2 Peter 1:2 - Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
IJMN,…
LAST 10 MINUTES
From looking at John 14:11 we see that Jesus Himself knew our faith would be rocky. Yet, because of the grace and mercy of the Lord, He taught us to focus on God's works at the very least.
You should be encouraged. You should hold onto this and other scripture to build your faith, trusting the Lord that such is possible.
Remember, God's got you. He's strong enough to handle your situation. Have faith, even if it's of the mustard seed variety. He'll work with it and help that seed grow.
God bless you.
Mighty King, You are highly exalted in all Your works. "Your works are very good, and that we know very well."
Isaiah 45:7-8 "I form the light and create the darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity. I, the LORD, do all these things.
Drip down, O heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open up that salvation may sprout and righteousness spring up with it; I, the LORD, have created it."
Father, this earth that You created for Your glory must sing Your praise. Please Lord, take control and let Your hand bring forth more light and righteousness into the world. in Jesus mighty name I pray, amen.
Father we thank You because You specially formed us for Your good will. Your word says in Proverbs 4:18 that "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."
However, there are many areas in life where we aren't seeing this type of improvement.
Lord, only You can work on us in this way -- help us to shine brighter (Phil 2:15). Let it be clear that You are the one who has transformed us.
IJMN, amen.
Gen 50:20 "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (NIV)
God we truly thank You for sparing us from sudden disaster. We thank you for the survivors of such and declare that You who started this good work in saving them (Phil 1:6) will continue to heal them and spare others.
Be glorified in this, in Jesus name