Courageous Choices Part 2Paraugs

I WILL TAKE STEPS OF FAITH

After all these years, God’s people were about to enter that amazing land God promised to them! But first, they had to cross the Jordan River. And to cross the river, they had to take the first step. God would not part the waters until they stepped in, but the Jordan was at flood stage, and in some places, the banks were a steep 20-foot drop. That first step for the priests carrying the ark was a huge step of faith.

Faith is always the prerequisite for releasing God’s power in our lives. The good news is that faith is a gift of God—something we can pray to receive. Romans 10:17 tells us, “So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.” Reading and studying God’s Word will build our faith. Like our physical muscles, our faith muscles grow also as we exercise them, but that first step of faith is often the hardest. Ultimately, we must choose to walk by faith at every crossroads in life if we want to overcome great obstacles. And like the Israelites of way back then, our God can be counted on. He is always faithful.

Ask Yourself:

-When in your life have you taken a big step of faith?

-When has a lack of faith prevented you from trusting God?

Pause to Pray: Be silent for a while and prayerfully ask God to show you the step of faith He is calling you to take today.

Take a Next Step:

-Write down what you think God is calling you to do. It might be starting a faith conversation with a neighbor or family member or taking a first step to attend a recovery group to break an addiction. Maybe you need to heal a relationship or forgive a past hurt. Whatever it is, what is the first step of faith you can take?

-Take that first step of faith today. And then tomorrow, take the next. And the day after that…