Based on “Ventures of Faith = Step out” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 3/24-25/12,
Message #MB509; Daily Devotional #4 - “What’s Your Purpose?”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): I love the way God operates. The all knowing God, Who is already present in the future, will often ask us to go somewhere or do something without explaining to us why or for what purpose. He will instead give us the opportunity to step out in faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8) The reasoning behind this is simple, without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): How do we know we can trust God? That, too, is simple. First, we’ve read: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Next, we’ve also read that it is impossible for God to lie. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. (Hebrews 6:18). Keeping those two points in mind, we can then believe this Scripture: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Since God works in all things for our good, we know that we can trust Him when we step out in faith to meet His calling for our lives.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): The Christian life encompasses not just the destination, but also the journey. These ventures of faith begin when we step out to follow Christ and His will for our lives. Because life is a battlefield and not a playground, to turn our world upside down for Jesus will require Christ followers who are aggressive in their lifestyle. By stepping out in faith, we please God. When we step out in faith, other people’s lives are eternally changed, our lives are filled with purpose and we make God look good. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Acts 20:21; Matthew 11:12, (NLT)
GH
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
New Living Translation = NLT.