7 Days to a Deeper Faith Sample

 Faith Comes by Hearing

Intro:

In this week of First15, we’re focusing on faith. Living with our faith stirred up is absolutely foundational to living an abundant life. God is faithful no matter what. But faith allows us to have trust in that faithfulness, producing a peace and calmness in the midst of challenges that we desperately need. 

I pray that you faith would be stirred today as we look at the biblical principle, that faith comes by hearing. 

Scripture: 

Our Scripture for today comes from Romans 10:17: 

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” 

Devotional: 

Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Scripture offers us every truth we need to live a lifestyle of faith. Within its pages are powerful stories describing the miraculous works of a God who remained faithful to a people who chose pride, selfishness, and rebellion over his perfect, loving ways. And it contains incredible moments where God’s people responded to his faithfulness with faith and were greatly rewarded. 

Proverbs 4:20-22 says, “My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.” The desire of God for you and me is to be children filled with his life-giving words. God longs for us to experience the joy, purpose, and peace of faith founded on his word. He longs for us to live our lives with Scripture as a constant source of hope when the world seems to be crashing down around us. 

For a long time, the Bible bored me. I knew I should read it so I would try and make some time here and there to read a little bit. But it felt more like an assignment than an encounter with the powerful words of God. It wasn’t until I began to read Scripture as an avenue to connect with God and have my life transformed that I began to enjoy it. As I began to allow God’s word to fill me with faith to live differently, I discovered the power of the Bible. When I used Scripture as a way to learn about and connect to the heart of my heavenly Father, my desire to read it grew to the point of overflowing. 

Scripture has the power to lead us to a different way of living: the way of faith. Stories like Abraham and Isaac should guide us to trust the promises of our God. Stories like Israel and the walls of Jericho should lead us to act on God’s word and leadership in faith that he will move in powerful ways to destroy our seemingly insurmountable obstacles. And the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus should guide us to a life of service to our God who would give up everything just to have restored relationship with us. 

Take time in guided prayer today to allow your faith to be stirred through meditating on Scripture. May God’s word guide you to a lifestyle of trust, hope, and surrender. And may you experience the joy of living by faith in response to your God’s amazing acts of faithfulness. 

Guided Prayer: 

1. Meditate on the ability of God’s word to fill you with faith. Proverbs 4:20-22 says:

“My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.” 

And Romans 10:17 says:

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” 

Take a few moments to reflect on God’s desire and ability to fill you with faith through his word. 

2. Where do you need faith today? What problem or obstacle seems insurmountable before you? Where do you need hope and joy? Take a moment to assess your own life, that you would be cognizant of where your need is today. 

3. Take time to reflect on the story of Jesus walking on water. Matthew 14:28-33 says:

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 

Go:

The story of Jesus walking on water in Matthew 14:28-33 serves as a great example of life lived in faith and in doubt. May we be a people who live in full faith and stand on the unshakable truth of God’s word.