STEPPING FAITH FORWARD
Deuteronomy 10:12-13
The Message: “So now Israel [you and me], what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in His presence in holy reverence, follow the road He sets out for you, love Him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey His commands and the regulations of God that I’m commanding you today—live a good life.”
Deuteronomy 10:12-13
The Message: “So now Israel [you and me], what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in His presence in holy reverence, follow the road He sets out for you, love Him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey His commands and the regulations of God that I’m commanding you today—live a good life.”
Did you ever get a basketball for a present? What does a basketball demand from you? It hates being carried. It hates being stuffed into a closet. “Bounce me!” it pleads. Are you like me? I cannot resist bouncing it—dribbling to a basket, and tossing it through—retrieving it and bouncing it again.
Great Commission Gift devotion talks about a very special gift, or gifts from God through His Holy Spirit. While young believers can be overwhelmed with everything new, (a new nature, a new family), giving them Jesus’ awesome command to make disciples is often just too much.
Whew! Just give me a minute to breathe!
Yet, too often new believers take too long to breathe. Yes, becoming a new Christian is amazing. Understanding what all comes to the new believer is beyond measure, and isn’t comprehended at one time. Fortunately, for us, the indwelling Holy Spirit reminds us to keep moving forward.
It’s rarely a good idea to move backwards. Marking time is good for catching one’s breath, but even a soldier’s marking time steps him or her forward. How can we cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s gracious work in us, and continue stepping faith forward? Let’s examine taking one step at a time.
The Bible assures us that God is faithful, keeping every promise. For example, He guarantees believers His constant presence, wisdom—for the asking,—and peace when we remain focused on Him.
We grow in confidence that He answers every prayer. So we anticipate His promises and answers to prayer.
Spending time daily in His Word teaches us perception. We become aware of His involvement in our lives.
Hebrews 4:16 tells us to pray boldly, because we’re His children. This isn’t pride. We have confidence from an overflowing fountain of assurance—what power!
The true test of your stepping your faith forward is obeying the Holy Spirit’s lead.
God will not overload you with more than you’re ready to handle. His growth is day by day, one step at a time. What’s important is that we step forward—not backward, not stagnant by marking time.
Just like dribbling a basketball!
Take Home Nugget
With each step forward, God promises to shape us more like His Son, Jesus. This process is called Sanctification (sanc-tif-i-KA-shon). This beautification continues throughout our lives.
Stepping faith forward marks the beauty of Spirit-led life.
J.D. Griffith
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