40 DAYS FAITH of
CARA-MARIE FINDLAY
40 Days of Faith
40 DAYS OF FAITH DEVOTIONAL EBOOK BY CARA-MARIE FINDLAY Published By: Findlay House www.findlayhouse.com © 2017 - 2020 Cara-Marie Findlay All rights reserved. No portion of this ebook may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact: cara@findlayhouse.com Second Edition
www.findlayhouse.com
FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i DEVOTIONALS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
www.findlayhouse.com
FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
i
40 Days of Faith
2020 INTRODUCTION YOU DON'T NEED MORE FAITH YOU NEED MORE TRUTH. - DR. TONY EVANS I first published this ebook devotional in 2017. I wrote most of the content during the 2016 Lent season. At the time, my focus was on growing, or increasing, my faith. But after listening to a sermon in October 2019 from one of my favorite preachers, Dr. Tony Evans, I was reminded that the "amount" of faith is never the problem. "...Jesus said 'If you have faith the grain of a mustard seed you could move mountains...' You don't need more faith. You need more truth." - Dr. Tony Evans* Truth activates faith. When it comes to faith, "activation" (putting it in motion via actions), rather than "amount", should be the focus.
As Dr. Tony Evans put it, "Faith is acting on the truth...if you don't know the truth, or if you don't act on the truth, the word faith is a meaningless phrase...And the truth is GOD's view of a matter." So if faith is acting on GOD's views, then we don't need more faith, we need to know more about what GOD's views are, especially His views on our lives, so we can act on them. Jesus himself defined truth for us. When Jesus was praying for His disciples (and us) in John 17:17 He said in His prayer to the Father, "Your [GOD's] word is truth." Whatever GOD says about a thing is truth. His word, His opinion, His view is the only one that matters. As we go on this 40-day journey, let us remember that activating our faith should not be tied to our circumstances, or even how we feel, especially when those things seem to be the opposite of what GOD is saying. "Faith is not based on how you feel. Now how you feel may be consistent with faith in a given moment but at another moment how you feel may have absolutely no correlation whatsoever...Faith is acting on the truth whether I feel the truth or not, whether I like the truth or not, whether I agree with the truth or not" (Dr. Tony Evans).
www.findlayhouse.com
FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
ii
As I write this introduction in 2020, I realize this devotional is not about generating more faith, it is about taking in more truth—increasing our knowledge of GOD's word and making space to hear from GOD so that we can act on what He says. GOD has truth, a word, specific to each of our lives, that He determined long ago. "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago," (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). Peter said, "Jesus has the power of GOD, by which He has given us everything we need to live and to serve GOD. We have these things because we know Him. Jesus called us by His glory and goodness.Through these He gave us the very great and precious promises. With these gifts you can share in God’s nature, and the world will not ruin you with its evil desires," (2 Peter 1:3-4 NCV). We have already been given everything we could possibly need to live the life God planned for us long ago. "...all you're doing with faith is withdrawing what grace has already put on deposit. So stop looking for more faith, you don't need more faith. The moment you act on what GOD says, that's all the faith you need. You got plenty of faith...Whatever growth your faith needs, it will get from the action you take, not by trying to conjure up more faith." - Dr. Tony Evans What do you need from GOD? What do you need to withdraw? Maybe you don't know, and that's okay too, because He knows what you need to truly live your best life, the life He has designed for you. "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." - Jeremiah 29:11 You can discover those plans through prayer. Ask GOD to share those plans with you over these next 40 days. Maybe He won't reveal the entire picture, but He will at least tell you the next step, and when He does, don't delay, act on it right away. To make the most of this devotional commit to taking in the truth of GOD's word, connecting with GOD in prayer, and acting on whatever He says. Let's expect miracles, and be ready to share with the world the evidence of GOD's power that our faith will reveal. Praying for you!
*All Dr. Tony Evans quotes are from his sermon "Overcoming Satan's Strategy Through Faith." Available on YouTube.
www.findlayhouse.com
FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
1
40 Days of Faith
DAY 1
SO FAITH COMES FROM WHAT IS HEARD, AND WHAT IS HEARD COMES THROUGH THE WORD OF CHRIST. ROMANS 10:17 Faith opens the door for the impossible. For the extraordinary. For the miraculous. • Who, and what, we listen to, Matters. Because it's either building up or breaking down our faith. • Why we could always use a faith boost: 1. It's impossible to please GOD without faith (Hebrews 11:6) 2. Our attempts, and failure, to control life is proof that we don't trust GOD with certain areas of our lives. 3. We struggle most when we try to live this extraordinary www.findlayhouse.com
life we've been given, using our own fragile + ordinary strength. When we do that, we will fail, and fail miserably. 4. Sometimes we end up listening to the wrong things. It doesn't matter if we're reading our Bibles every morning, if throughout the day we give an ear to doubt, fear, and negative self-talk. We only end up destroying our own trust-GODfor-the-impossible faith when we do that. • Thank GOD for grace! Accept His invincible strength and supreme power! • Who are you listening to? *All verses in this devotional are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
2
DAY 2
NOW FAITH IS THE ASSURANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE CONVICTION OF THINGS NOT SEEN. HEBREWS 11:1 Hebrews 11 is known as the Faith chapter. We'll be visiting it quite a bit over the next few weeks. • Yesterday's verse was about where faith comes from. Today's verse is a reminder of what faith actually is. • FAITH is being Confident that GOD can give us all we hope for and more! • It's being fully Convinced—to the point of taking action— that something is real even if we don't see it yet! • It's being so confident and so convinced that our actions align with what we know is real and true, even if we can't see it yet. www.findlayhouse.com
Pastor Tony Evans defines faith this way, "Faith is acting on the truth....and truth is GOD's view of a matter." (See the 2020 Intro.) • This verse reminds me of why I needed these 40 Days of Faith verses. Even though I know GOD and love Him, I haven't always been Confident or Convinced that He is working things out for my good, even though He said so in His word (Romans 8:28). But that has changed. Thanks to Jesus and His mercy! • Do you have faith? Are you Confident in, and Convinced of, the supreme power of a GOD you can't see? If you're not, know that you Can be. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
3
40 Days of Faith
DAY 3 AND WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD, FOR WHOEVER WOULD APPROACH HIM MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS AND THAT HE REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM.
HEBREWS 11:6 Still in the Faith chapter today. We're becoming reacquainted with the basics of Faith: Where it comes from. What it is. And today, why we need it. • This verse is beautifully sobering. Maybe you're like me, and in your heart of hearts you want nothing more than to please GOD. Well if we want to please GOD we need Faith! Because without it, it is Impossible to please Him. • Impossible though? That's a little scary. • Still it makes sense. How can we please an invisible GOD we are not Confident and Convinced exists? www.findlayhouse.com
Why would we even want to? And if we know HE exists but we're not confident and/or convinced that He does what He says He will do (which is reward those who seek Him) why would we dare approach Him? • Having faith means living life as a prayer that says, "GOD I believe, I'm confident + convinced, that You exist, even if I can't see You with my eyes. And I know You will reward me for seeking You and desiring to please You." • Sometimes we don't act because we're hung up on the details: How GOD? When GOD? But those answers only please us. It's not about us. Learn to let go + simply trust. Acting on what GOD says will be enough to please Him. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
4
DAY 4
LOOK AT THE PROUD! THEIR SPIRIT IS NOT RIGHT WITHIN THEM, BUT THE RIGHTEOUS LIVE BY THEIR FAITH.
HABAKKUK 2:4
Fun Fact: Although the Old Testament is filled with many examples of faith (see Hebrews 11), the Hebrew word that is translated "faith" only appears twice. This verse is the 2nd occurrence. The 1st is in Deuteronomy (32:20). • According to this verse, faith and pride cannot coexist. • Often times we make pride synonymous with arrogance, but that's not how God sees pride. • To be proud, or to be filled with pride, is to disagree with GOD— on anything. • Who are we to disagree with www.findlayhouse.com
the Uncreated One? The Creator of multiple galaxies? • There was a time when I struggled severely with insecurity, imagine my surprise when I learned that insecurity is a form of pride. If God has called us beautiful, a masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10), and capable, who are we to disagree? • The righteous live confident + convinced that any-, and every-, thing God has said is true, and their actions show it. • Let's be counted among the righteous. Let's dare to agree with GOD. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
5
40 Days of Faith
DAY 5
AND NOW FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE ABIDE, THESE THREE; AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:13 Faith is fueled by Love. Or to say it another way, Love is the battery pack that keeps Faith running. • According to this verse, of all the graces and virtues a person could possess, faith, hope, and love are most important! • Faith: continuing trust in GOD and His promises as seen through one's actions • Hope: confident expectation, especially of eternal salvation • Love: devotion to GOD, and an unselfish + unconditional love for others, that grows out of GOD's love for us. • And of the three, Love is a head www.findlayhouse.com
above the rest. Why? Because in the end, only Love will remain. When time as we know it ends, and all that's left is eternity we won't need Faith or Hope. What is now invisible will be seen plainly, so we won't need to be convinced of what is not seen. And our expectation of eternal salvation will have been met. But until then, it's an understanding of GOD's love for us that leads us to live by faith, have hope and truly love others. • Apart from love, faith is meaningless. • Let's be faith-filled people, powered by LOVE. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
6
DAY 6 FOR IN CHRIST JESUS NEITHER CIRCUMCISION NOR UNCIRCUMCISION COUNTS FOR ANYTHING; THE ONLY THING THAT COUNTS IS FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE.
GALATIANS 5:6 Another reminder by Bro. Paul that Faith is powered by Love ❤ . • This verse is a great reality check for anyone who has ever struggled with feeling like you're not doing enough. • In Galatians, Paul is writing to Gentiles, people who were not Jewish. Many of the Gentiles were seeking to fit in with their Jewish counterparts by getting circumcised. Ouch! Circumcision was a part of Jewish law. But Paul told the Gentiles if you try to fit in by obeying this part of the law, you have to obey the whole law (all 613 laws). • Paul says to the Gentiles, in the book of Galatians, that if you want to fit in by circumcising yourself
www.findlayhouse.com
and working to earn your way into the family of GOD, then you've missed the point. Jesus fulfilling all the law, and then dying in your place, and rising again, and giving you power through the Holy Spirit, is of no help to you, because you'd rather try to do it all on your own (Verse 4). • Paul's reminder still applies to us today. If we think we have to work our way to self-worth, or acceptance by others, then we still don't get it. • Our self-worth is based on the fact that GOD has created us in His image. We are already accepted by Jesus. We don't have to constantly be busy to prove our value to ourselves or anyone else. • Because the only thing that matters is Faith fueled by Love.
FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
7
40 Days of Faith
DAY 7
THEN HE [JESUS] TOUCHED THEIR EYES AND SAID, "ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH LET IT BE DONE TO YOU." MATTHEW 9:29 This whole pericope (or passage) in Matthew (9:27-31) is so full of gems. But of course Verse 29 is the kicker, "According to your faith let it be done to you." • What if GOD's activity in our lives is directly related to our faith actions?
More faith actions = More miracles. The more we act on the truth, the more miracles we will see. • There was a time when I restricted my actions and view of the future based on what I saw right in front of me. I even doubted that GOD wanted to, or would, change my situation(s). My limited view of a limitless and AllPowerful GOD was seen in my constricting and faithless actions. Thank God my views have changed! GOD is able to do anything. He can turn a situation around in a moment. There is nothing impossible for God! www.findlayhouse.com
The blind men in this passage acted on the truth that Jesus is a miracle worker when they followed Him [the action] and made their requests known (Verse 27). They knew He had the power to meet their need (Verse 29). • The miraculous happened because they believed (Verse 30). When we activate our faith in Jesus by taking action, we open ourselves to experience God's miraculous power. • The men refused to keep silent about what Jesus had done (Verse 31). When God responds to our faith, and moves in our lives, we shouldn't keep it to ourselves. When we tell others about what He has done we help them to activate their faith as well. • Let's challenge ourselves to activate our faith and take action as we: Follow Jesus. Make our requests known. Believe He can do it. And when we witness the impossible, share our experience with others. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
8
DAY 8 ...BUT I HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU THAT YOUR OWN FAITH MAY NOT FAIL; AND YOU, WHEN ONCE YOU HAVE TURNED BACK, STRENGTHEN YOUR BROTHERS.
LUKE 22:32 When we focus on the what-isseen realm of our daily lives, it's easy to forget that as Believers we have a very real enemy named satan who wants nothing more than to destroy us (Verse 31). • If the enemy can't take our life, then he will do what he can to destroy our faith. The destruction he wields comes in many forms: distress, distraction, and discouragement (to name a few). All things that can keep us from acting on the truth. • My faith was failing. I needed a reminder about what faith is all about. The fact that GOD inspired me to do this is proof that Jesus is still praying! The enemy of my soul has not won. • Jesus didn't just pray for Peter. www.findlayhouse.com
He's not just praying for me. Jesus is still praying, and He's praying for you too! (Hebrews 7:25.) Praying that Your faith won't fail, but rather that your faith actions would increase more and more. • I declare today that even when we struggle with believing and struggle to hold onto hope, even when our dreams seem to dissolve, our faith will not fail. It may weaken, it may waver, but it will not fail! We will act on the truth, whether we feel like it or not, whether we like it or not, whether we agree with it or not, whether we are supported by others or not. For we have an advocate with our Heavenly Father named Jesus who is praying for us! And when our faith has been activated, let us encourage those around us who may be struggling with their faith. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
9
40 Days of Faith
DAY 9
...FOR WHATEVER IS BORN OF GOD CONQUERS THE WORLD. AND THIS IS THE VICTORY THAT CONQUERS THE WORLD, OUR FAITH. 1 JOHN 5:4 Faith is the key to conquering the world. • The world?! That's almost too large a concept to grasp. Most of us don't want to take over the world, we just want to thrive at living! • So let's bring it down to a level we can digest. Our individual lives, our individual paths, and the challenges that are unique, in some way, to us— Whether it's something in your past that you can't seem to get over, or a frustration in the present that you can't seem to get past, or the worries of the future that present themselves as anxious thoughts, www.findlayhouse.com
know that you can overcome, by faith—by taking actions that demonstrate you believe the truth that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), that we are above and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13). • When we activate our faith and take action, we become equipped to handle anything life throws at us! Because if we are Confident + Convinced that we have access to an All-Powerful GOD, then literally nothing can defeat us, because nothing is greater than Him! • Our faith is our victory! If we will act in faith, even when the odds are against us, then we will win. With faith, we win! FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
10
DAY 10
...ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN HIM [JESUS] AND ESTABLISHED IN THE FAITH, JUST AS YOU WERE TAUGHT, ABOUNDING IN THANKSGIVING. COLOSSIANS 2:7 Really you can't separate verse 7 from verse 6, or verse 6 from verse 5. • Think back for a moment. Where did you learn faith? Who embodied faith and was a living example for you? • Some of us learned faith from the Bible. Others of us learned it from a parent or family member. Some of us may just remember an innate confidence that things will get better, and that refused to give way, no matter what we faced, even before we were able to put a name to it—faith. • My grandmothers are the ones who taught me faith. I saw many of their prayers www.findlayhouse.com
answered. I am an answer to some of their prayers. They have given me a legacy of faith. • If we are faithful to believe, then we too have been entrusted with a legacy of faith to pass on to those around us, but especially the next generation. • My prayer for us all is that we would continue to live our lives rooted in, and built up by, Jesus. I pray that our faith would be established, a lighthouse to those tossed to and fro on the seas of life. I pray that we would remain humble and be filled with gratitude even as we pause to remember and thank those who showed us what it means to have faith and act accordingly. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
11
40 Days of Faith
DAY 11
WITH ALL OF THESE, TAKE THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WITH WHICH YOU WILL BE ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FLAMING ARROWS OF THE EVIL ONE. EPHESIANS 6:16 Let's keep ourselves covered...with the shield of faith! • It's not enough to get dressed for war—putting on the whole armor of God—if we're not confident and convinced that we already have the victory! • Sometimes truth, righteousness, and peace is only enough to help us stand our ground. If we want to advance, if we want to gain ground, if we want to go on the offensive and lay claim to everything that God has promised us, then we have to be able to protect ourselves as we move forward. • The enemy wants to intimidate
www.findlayhouse.com
us. He sends distractions, frustrations, annoyances, and other things to knock us off track. But when we use faith as a shield to quench the fiery darts of doubt or insecurity or fear or anger or discontentment or worry, we can push ahead, by continuing to act on the truth, regardless of what comes our way. • Take the shield of faith with you, wherever you go. And let us remember, our faith is our victory! We win!
FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
12
DAY 12
...SO THAT YOUR FAITH MIGHT REST NOT ON HUMAN WISDOM BUT ON THE POWER OF GOD. 1 CORINTHIANS 2:5 This verse prompts a sober selfevaluation. • What is your faith resting on? • Here the Apostle Paul reminds the church at Corinth that he didn't come with lofty words of wisdom. Paul let the Word [JESUS] speak for Himself. And demonstrations of power through the Holy Spirit followed. This was the truth the Corinthians were to anchor their faith to. • What is your faith resting on? Is your faith resting on your ability? On human logic or reasoning? Or is your faith anchored in, and resting on, the power of the Almighty GOD? www.findlayhouse.com
In our individual walks of faith their will be times when our hopes and dreams, and consequently, our actions will look like those of a crazy person. Our abilities will fail us. Logic and reasoning will say we're out of our minds, or that it's impossible. In those crucial moments we will have a choice to make: Give up or trust GOD. • The surest way to prepare for those moments, the best way to activate our faith is to remember that GOD is All-Powerful. HE is beyond human comprehension. HE defies impossibility. HE is Supreme + Sovereign. I pray our faith will forever rest in that assurance.
FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
13
40 Days of Faith
DAY 13
SHUN YOUTHFUL PASSIONS AND PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE, AND PEACE,
ALONG WITH THOSE WHO CALL ON THE LORD FROM A PURE HEART.
2 TIMOTHY 2:22 We live in a world filled with distractions. And when it comes to pursuing what matters most, it can be difficult. • Young people especially tend to be given the green light to experiment and fail, and explore frivolous things. But Paul's words to Timothy still apply to us today Don't waste the valuable + limited time you've been given, doing or experiencing things that GOD has said are not in line with living a good life. We are to shun those things. Flee. Run away from them. They are nothing more than time wasters and distractions. Instead we are to pursue a life of integrity + virtue—
www.findlayhouse.com
thinking, feeling, and acting in line with the truth (GOD's view of a matter). We're to follow Faith. Love. Peace. And surround ourselves with likeminded individuals. • The faith in us that births those BIG dreams + goals inside of us, should propel us to take actions that align with those dreams becoming reality. But we need to keep focused on the truth and surround ourselves with a like-minded tribe—people who can hold us accountable. • We only do ourselves a disservice when we allow ourselves to get distracted. • Put first things first. Pursue godliness. Act on truth and watch GOD make your dreams come true...and then some!
FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
14
DAY 14
THE APOSTLES SAID TO THE LORD, "INCREASE OUR FAITH!" LUKE 17:5 At first glance, this may look like a familiar, and even an honorable, prayer. Perhaps it's a prayer you've prayed at some point. I know I have! • I imagine the disciples were feeling inadequate. Jesus had just told them to take a stand, and to correct each other if one of them does wrong. Then He told them to always forgive, even if someone wronged them 7 times in one day! How were they supposed to live up to that? • The disciples thought what Jesus was requiring of them was next to impossible! The disciples reasoned they needed more faith, perhaps that would be enough to silence their uncertainties. www.findlayhouse.com
But in the very next verse, Jesus tells them they don't need more faith, because even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (verse 6)! Instead, Jesus tells the disciples to put whatever faith they have into action, and simply do what they "were ordered to do" (verse 10). • Like the disciples, when we feel inadequate or incapable, we tend to think more faith is the answer; that more faith will help us feel better, and eliminate our hesitations and uncertainties. But if that were true, it wouldn't be faith—being convinced, to the point of action, of what is yet to be seen. • Let's take Jesus' response to heart and put our faith into action. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
15
40 Days of Faith
DAY 15
FOR BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH, AND THIS IS NOT YOUR OWN DOING; IT IS THE GIFT OF GODEPHESIANS 2:8 Today's verse tells us that Faith is a gift from GOD. • The greatest working of our faith is not in achieving some lofty goal, but in accessing an All-Powerful + Loving + AllEncompassing GOD. It is by faith that we are able to communicate with Him, and to place our entire life's journey into His hands. And we please Him as the result of doing exactly that! • This verse is an incredible reminder that we are completely incapable of activating + using our faith apart from GOD. Faith itself is one of GOD's many gifts to us.
www.findlayhouse.com
We need GOD to please GOD, and HE knows that! And so HE's given us this beautiful gift of faith with which we have the ability to reach through space and time to get to Him. Then, He fills our hearts and minds with hopes and dreams, incredible feats that we cannot achieve without Him. • Let's be intentional about taking a moment every day to recognize the Ultimate Source! The One who causes the flowers to bloom, the One who made birds to sing. The Source of our strength. The Source of our life. The Source of our hope. The Source of our faith.
FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
16
DAY 16
KEEP ALERT, STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH, BE COURAGEOUS, BE STRONG. HABAKKUK 2:4 Keep alert. Why? Because we have a very real enemy who wants nothing more than to destroy us. Who wants to distract us and discourage us. Who wants us to believe that we're too much to handle. Or that we're not enough. That our dreams are too BIG and out of reach. And that our GOD doesn't care about the details of our lives. • Keep alert. Be aware. Refuse to be fooled. That's the defensive play. • On the offensive end. We are encouraged to stand firm in our faith! Be courageous. Be strong. Dare to dream BIG dreams. Dare to trust GOD to www.findlayhouse.com
fulfill His purpose for you. • Take that first step. Make that leap of faith. Trust that there is nothing life throws at you, that you can't handle! You may be nervous. You may be afraid. But you don't have to be a slave to fear. You can choose courage. You can choose to walk on water with Jesus anyway! Because life is tough. But you were built to last. Built to endure. Be strong. You can make it! • That project you started, you can see it through. That obstacle in front of you, you can overcome it. • Let's not allow our senses to be dulled. Let's take action! Full steam ahead. Forward with faith! FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
17
40 Days of Faith
DAY 17
I PRAY THAT THE SHARING OF YOUR FAITH MAY BECOME EFFECTIVE WHEN YOU PERCEIVE ALL THE GOOD THAT WE MAY DO FOR CHRIST. PHILEMON 1:6 I just absolutely fell in love with this verse! And for so many reasons...First of all it's tucked away in the 1-Chapter book of Philemon. And Everybody knows the best gems are hardest to find! And then of course there's the message - Double whoa!! • Who wants to be ineffective?!? No one puts in time, effort, energy and excellence just to be ineffective. • I think about sharing these verses with you. Literally sharing this faith walk and study. I want it to accomplish everything it should and can accomplish! I want it to encourage at least one person. I don't want it to be ineffective. • So how do we become effective? When we dare to get sight of all www.findlayhouse.com
the good we can do for Christ! • Do you really know all the good you're capable of doing? Or are you limiting yourself to what you know? Limiting yourself to what is easy? Are you okay with going along to get along? Or do you truly believe YOU can make a difference? Believe it or not, You can! • You and I are capable of doing a world of good to the glory and honor of Jesus. All we have to do is have faith. Dare to believe. Our examples of faith will be effective. We will Inspire others, when we decide to live out loud and really walk this thing out, and allow God's grace and His power and ability to be our strength. • Paul's prayer for Philemon is my prayer for you + me both! FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
18
DAY 18
FOR THIS VERY REASON, YOU MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO SUPPORT YOUR FAITH WITH GOODNESS, AND GOODNESS WITH KNOWLEDGE... 2 PETER 1:5 This entire pericope (paragraph) is GOOD! 2 Peter 1:3-12. I'll try to highlight the main points as briefly as possible... • 1st. God through His divine power has given us everything we need for life + godliness (holiness - existing as "other" because our life is God-centered), including the right amount of faith. (Verse 3.) • 2nd. God has given us precious and very great promises. (Verse 4.) General promises like life after death, yes. But also specific promises for each individual - like fulfilling your unique purpose in life. What has God promised you? • 3rd. Why has God given us these promises? So that we can escape the corruption in the world. (Also Verse 4.) Anyone can see that this world we're living in is corrupt, and sometimes it causes us to lose courage, dumb ourselves down, and try to hide our lights. But You were created to shine + to live out loud. • We can become participants of God's
www.findlayhouse.com
divine nature and escape the corruption of the world (even if only in our hearts + minds), when we live with heaven in mind. • 4th. We have to make every effort to support our faith with beneficial qualities: goodness, knowledge, self control, endurance, holiness, and love. (Verses 5. 6. And 7.) • 5th. Why? Faith without those qualities is ineffective. Null and void. Meaningless. (Verse 8.) Again, who wants to waste time + effort only to be ineffective? • 6th. There's nothing wrong with being reminded of The Truth we may already know. (Verse 12.) We need more truth! • Have you been making EVERY effort? Or has apathy, discouragement, or laziness gotten the best of you and your faith? • It's okay if you haven't. We could all use some improvement. So here's a gentle reminder of what you may already know. Let's have faith that is effective, and trust God for the things He's promised! FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
19
40 Days of Faith
DAY 19 HE [JESUS] SAID TO THEM, "WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?" THEY WERE AFRAID AND AMAZED, AND SAID TO ONE ANOTHER, "WHO THEN IS THIS THAT HE COMMANDS EVEN THE WINDS AND THE WATER, AND THEY OBEY HIM?"
LUKE 8:25 In the past, exhaustion of any kind usually preceded discouragement for me. Prayerfully, I can break that exhaustion-discouragement cycle completely. • Nature is where I go to be recharged. It's where I go to be reminded of Who's In Charge. Today's verse talks about nature... • Even nature (the winds + the water. the birds + the trees) obey Jesus. • But what stands out most to me is the question Jesus asked his disciples, the question that He continues to ask of you + me - "Where is your faith?" • Where is my faith in times of exhaustion? Is it in my own limited ability to complete the tasks still yet to be done? Or is it in the One who can give me His strength, and the wisdom to know what needs my immediate attention and what can wait. • Where is our faith in times of trouble? Let's be clear the disciples were www.findlayhouse.com
in trouble. In fact, according to Luke 8:23, they were in more than just trouble, they were in Danger! And honestly if I was about to die in a sinking boat, I would have freaked out too! • I can imagine how the disciples must have felt after seeing Jesus command nature to be still, and seeing nature actually obey, and Then hearing the question "Where is your faith," Afraid. Amazed. And Ashamed. They had been walking with Jesus for quite some time and yet they didn't know Him, "Who is this guy?" • Jesus posed the question. And He is the answer. But have we allowed Him to be that answer in our everyday lives? Will we place our faith in Him? So that if He asks, if anyone asks, "Where is your faith?" We can boldly respond "In Christ." • In times of trouble. In times of danger. In times of frustration. In times of despair. In times of sadness. In times of exhaustion. In challenges. In difficulties. In grief. In suffering. Let faith be seen. Let us unapologetically place our faith in Christ! FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
20
DAY 20 LET NO ONE DESPISE YOUR YOUTH, BUT SET THE BELIEVERS AN EXAMPLE IN SPEECH AND CONDUCT, IN LOVE, IN FAITH, IN PURITY.
1 TIMOTHY 4:12 How many times have we allowed people to look down on us? Or shape the way we shine? Maybe it's just me. I once was a people pleaser. I hated shining brightly because other people made it seem like my only reason for shining was to make them feel bad. That wasn't true. • In an effort to help them feel better about themselves, I dimmed my own light. But that didn't seem to help. I prayed and prayed to be normal. Prayed to fit in. But of course GOD did not give me what I wanted because HE didn't want me to Appease Others, He wanted me to Please HIM. • There will always be someone who will say, you don't know what you're doing. Because you're too young (or you're too old). Or you're too naive. You're too unqualified. Or you don't have the experience. Or you don't have the wisdom. Someone—who for whatever personal reasons—thinks you don't have what it takes. Usually because they're not willing to do what it takes. But we don't have to let those people define us. www.findlayhouse.com
Today's verse is an encouragement and a command to never stop being a shining example. • We don't have to waste our strength, our youth, our vitality, our lives on frivolous things that don't matter. We can work now. Today. To make a change for the better in the world around us. • Forget fitting in! Stand out. Speak differently. Put some real thought into your words before opening your mouth. Act differently. Consider the consequences before just going with the flow, or doing what promises to make you feel good. • Love differently. Love the unlovely. Love those who find you unloveable. Live faith differently. Be confident + convinced that there's a God who loves us all and is ready to assist us in fulfilling the purpose He designed for us. Do purity differently. It's not a state of body, but a state of mind. • Proudly. Boldly. Unapologetically. Reflect the beauty of Jesus Christ. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
21
40 Days of Faith
DAY 21
BY CONTRAST, THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, FAITHFULNESS... GALATIANS 5:22 Even on our "bad" days we can feast on fruit! The fruit of the Spirit. And according to Galatians 5:23 there are no laws against such things. As singer-songwriter India Arie once said it, "It doesn't cost a thing to smile. You don't have to pay to laugh. You better thank GOD for that." • I am thankful for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faith, gentleness, and self-control! Their existence let's me know that GOD is real. That GOD is here in the world. That GOD is ever present. That GOD is with me. • And if GOD is present—even in times of chaos and even when www.findlayhouse.com
it seems He is silent—we can be confident that we'll never face definitive disappoint because GOD will always keep His word. • One last thing: (Danny pointed it out.) Do we really have the Holy Spirit if some of the fruit He produces is missing from our lives? Can divine joy and peace exist apart from self-control? Can a person be kind without having patience? According to this scripture, the answer is "no." • Just like multiple apples come from one apple tree so all these characteristics come from one Spirit. All must be present for us to truly say that it is evidence of GOD1's Spirit in us. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
22
DAY 22
...[PEOPLE] WHO THROUGH FAITH CONQUERED KINGDOMS, ADMINISTERED JUSTICE, OBTAINED PROMISES, SHUT THE MOUTHS OF LIONS... HEBREWS 11:33 We're back in the FAITH Chapter today - Hebrews 11. • What will You do with your faith? • This is one reason to really read the Bible. In addition to it being one great love story about an Amazing GOD and His relentless love for us, it details the many impossible, and almost unbelievable, feats that mere humans were able to accomplish through their faith in an All-Powerful GOD. • Through faith people literally conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained the promises made to them by God, and shut the mouths of lions. Some escaped death by an enemy, others obtained supernatural strength in times of weakness (Verse 34). • There are people, across all the generations to ever walk the earth, who accomplished amazing things because of faith. And we can www.findlayhouse.com
be one of them! • What will You do with your faith? And what will I do with mine? It's an openended question that only God Himself can answer. • Will we topple unjust systems? Will we speak up for Truth when others around us remain silent? Can we stand firm in our faith and believe that GOD will do those things He's promised us? No matter how long it takes. How can our faith be a testament (a today testament as opposed to the Old + New testaments of the Bible) to an AllPowerful, Loving, Good GOD - who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think. • Through faith we can be great. Whether our names are on the tongues of millions for generations to come, or whether our names + legacy are only remembered by one, but etched in the hearts of our descendants for ages to come. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
23
40 Days of Faith
DAY 23
JESUS ANSWERED THEM, "HAVE FAITH IN GOD." MARK 11:22 I absolutely love this chapter. Because I see myself in Peter so much! Well-intentioned but just completely missing it sometimes. • Seriously. Peter has seen Jesus literally silence a raging storm on the sea. Peter himself walked on water to meet Jesus who was already walking on the sea. And yet, in this chapter, Peter is so blown away when he realizes that a fig tree Jesus cursed—for not having any fruit —actually withered up and died. • Jesus reminds Peter to have faith in GOD. A message that is particularly important in this passage, considering that Jesus is preparing to die; He knows how His death will affect His disciples. • Like Peter we are often taken by surprise when we witness GOD move. And Jesus still knows what lies ahead for us. www.findlayhouse.com
We can't see the future, but we can make the choice to trust + obey. • We should always do our due diligence because Jesus deserves excellence. He deserves our best. However, our faith should not be in our own abilities, our faith should be in GOD. • I love this passage not only because I see myself in Peter, but also because Jesus gives us hope in regards to prayer. In verses 23-26 Jesus tells us that we can move mountains with our faith in GOD. And that when we pray and we believe we have received what we've asked for, it will be ours. GOD will do it for us! This of course is dependent upon aligning our will with GOD's will (James 4:3). But still, what an assurance! • We can move mountains if only we put our faith in this Amazing GOD! FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
24
DAY 24 FOR BY THE GRACE GIVEN TO ME I SAY TO EVERYONE AMONG YOU NOT TO THINK OF YOURSELF AS MORE HIGHLY THAN YOU OUGHT TO THINK, BUT TO THINK WITH SOBER JUDGMENT, EACH ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF FAITH THAT GOD HAS ASSIGNED.
ROMANS 12:3 GOD has assigned you a measure of faith. • How does that make you feel? • Most of us don't like the idea of not having a say regarding things that concern us. And yet here we read that without consulting you, or anyone else for that matter, GOD assigned you an amount of faith. • That could be particularly troubling when we consider those verses that indicate GOD often moves in direct response to our faith. How do we know if our individual amount is a little or a lot? • We don't, but that's why we need to think of ourselves and our faith with sober judgment. www.findlayhouse.com
Maybe we are trusting GOD for something that others around us think is impossible. And maybe we will receive it. But that doesn't make us better than anybody else, than the people—who for whatever reason—can't dream as big. • In a society obsessed with celebrity, we need to be reminded that the person with the international platform is no better than the person who only reaches one other person. • We all need to be reminded of that. Everyone's faith walk is different. And yet, as Believers, we are all connected. Our faith is not for ourselves, its for all the people connected to the things amazing things we will accomplish through faith. The people who need your example of faith. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
25
40 Days of Faith
DAY 25
WHEN JESUS SAW THEIR FAITH, HE SAID TO THE PARALYTIC, "SON, YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN." MARK 2:5 There have been many times when I found myself "stuck," paralyzed, if you will. In those times, it was the faith of others close to me—my husband, my parents, my friends—faith that GOD would come through, that helped me hold on when my own faith was wavering. • Jesus forgave + healed the man in this passage, not because of the man's faith in Jesus, but because of the faith and action of the man's friends. • Take an assessment of the people around you. Are they examples of faith? Are they helping you activate your faith? • As the saying goes, "birds of a www.findlayhouse.com
feather flock together;" the people we surround ourselves with most tend to be reflections of what we hold most dear. • I want the people around me to be people who are willing to tear the roof off to get me to Jesus, especially in moments when my faith is shaky or I feel stuck. People who are like the ones mentioned in this passage. (Mark 2:1-5, esp. verses 3 + 4). Friends who are not only believing GOD for a promise of their own, but who will also believe GOD will fulfill His promises to me and take action. • May we all find at least one friend like that. And may we be those same kind of friends for the people around us. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
26
DAY 26
...FOR WE WALK BY FAITH NOT BY SIGHT. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:7 We won't always know what curve balls a day may throw at us, but we can choose to walk through life acting on truth (going on the offensive), rather than simply responding to what we see (being defensive). • I really like verses 6 and 9 in this passage. (2 Corinthians 5:1-10) • Paul says we are always confident. If GOD has prepared us for life in eternity (verses 4 + 5), then He has also prepared us for whatever life could possibly throw at us, here. Therefore we can Always be confident in GOD and His ability to not only come through, but to work
www.findlayhouse.com
through us as well. And secondly, we are to make it our aim to please Jesus. Because in doing so, we are better able to focus on those things that should be priority, rather than worrying about the other stuff. • We don't know what the coming moments, days, weeks, months, or years may bring. Life can change in the blink of an eye. So why bother to rely on what we can only see right now? It can all change in an instant! • Let's choose to live life by faith. Always believing the best. And always trusting GOD as we seek to please Him.
FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
27
40 Days of Faith
DAY 27
NO DISTRUST MADE HIM [ABRAHAM] WAVER CONCERNING THE PROMISE OF GOD, BUT HE GREW STRONG IN HIS FAITH AS HE GAVE GLORY TO GOD... ROMANS 4:20 This entire chapter is pure gold! But verse 21 is too good to not include it, so I'll write the complete sentence here (verses 20 and 21): "No distrust made him [Abraham] waver concerning the promise of GOD, but Abraham grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to GOD, being fully convinced that GOD was able to do what He had promised." • These verses are everything!! So SO good! • Faith is being confident + fully convinced that GOD is able to do what He has promised to do. • What has GOD promised you? Is there anything in your life, perhaps a situation or circumstance you see, that would cause you to waver? Is distrust growing within you? Or are you growing in faith? • These two verses provide the www.findlayhouse.com
ultimate cheat sheet for growing in faith! According to this, we will not just grow, but we will grow Strong in faith, as we give glory to GOD. Praising GOD for what He has promised to do, even before He does it. Because we know, if GOD said it, then it is as good as done! Praising GOD in advance grows our faith and makes it stronger! • And honestly there's no truly praising GOD in advance unless we are fully convinced that He is able to do, and will do, whatever He has promised! • What has GOD promised you? Maybe you have lost hope. Or maybe you need a new promise to hold on to. Sit with GOD. Ask Him what He wants to do in your life and through you. And no matter how grand or ridiculous the promise may be, I Dare you to trust GOD and not waver. I dare you to grow strong faith, by praising GOD in advance. He's able!! FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
28
DAY 28 WHEN JESUS HEARD THIS HE WAS AMAZED AT HIM, AND TURNING TO THE CROWD THAT FOLLOWED HIM, HE SAID, "I TELL YOU, NOT EVEN IN ISRAEL HAVE I FOUND SUCH FAITH."
LUKE 7:9 I want the kind of faith that Amazes JESUS. • Today's verse says that Jesus was amazed at the centurion's faith. No one else in the crowd that was following Jesus had such great faith. Many of those people saw the miracles + heard the messages and still didn't believe. • This centurion, was not part of the crowd, but he believed Jesus was who Jesus said He was— GOD in human form. The centurion knew all Jesus had to do was speak the word and it would be done. The same way it had been done in the beginning when GOD said "Let there be light," and there was light. • You don't have to fit in. www.findlayhouse.com
You don't have to be a part of the crowd. You don't have to be just another number among the majority, or the marginalized. • You are free to stand out. You can amaze Jesus with your faith. No matter the odds against you. • All we need is for Jesus to speak a word. Whether it's over our lives, our families, our finances, our work, our purpose, our future—He has a word for us. • We can find a lot of those words in the Bible. Yes, He's already spoken. But do we believe what He has said? Let's start believing Him for the big things + the little things. And amaze Him with our faith! FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
29
40 Days of Faith
DAY 29
JESUS TURNED, AND SEEING HER HE SAID, "TAKE HEART, DAUGHTER; YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL." AND INSTANTLY THE WOMAN WAS MADE WELL. MATTHEW 9:22 It's a well known story. The woman with the blood issue. She had been suffering with hemorrhages for 12 years. Mark 5:26 gives even more detail. Apparently over the course of those 12 years she had spent all the money she had on doctors. But she didn't get better. In fact, her problem got worse. 12 years! • Then one day, she saw Jesus and all her faith returned. She knew He could help her. She knew He could heal her. She believed in His power so much that she took action! She pushed through the crowd to just touch his clothes, believing that would be enough to make her well. She was right! • The Bible says INSTANTLY she was made well. That's amazing! But what I find most comforting www.findlayhouse.com
is the words Jesus speaks to her, "Take heart daughter, your faith has made you well." • Is all well in your world today? Or could things be better? Maybe they could be Much better. Are you discouraged or disheartened? There's a word for you + me: Take heart. Your faith, you acting on the truth, will make you well. • Cling to Jesus. Hold on to your faith. No matter how dire the situation. No matter how long you've been waiting for things to get better. Take heart. Be comforted by the words of our Lord. Let your mind be at ease. GOD is still in control. And at the appointed time, Your faith will be rewarded. And it will make what is currently not well, well. All will be well. Only believe! FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
30
DAY 30
...REMEMBERING BEFORE OUR GOD AND FATHER YOUR WORK OF FAITH AND LABOR OF LOVE AND STEADFASTNESS OF HOPE IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 1 THESSALONIANS 1:3 True faith is evident through action. Those who are truly filled with faith are always taking action and working with the end goal of their faith in mind! • People who want to travel the world on a budget put in the work of saving for trips. • Believers put in the work of making the right[eous] decisions, even when the choices are unpopular, because we believe God will reward us with His presence + His promises. • Faith often requires sacrifice. And sometimes the going gets tough, but in those moments www.findlayhouse.com
we are to remember that any "work" [sacrifice or suffering] related to faith, and our futures, is a labor of love. We stick it out, not only because we know it's worth it, but because we've learned to embrace + enjoy the journey. • Steadfastness of hope. Hope that is sure, and anchored in the person of Jesus Christ cannot be dismantled or dimmed. It remains. It endures. It outlasts. • Today I give God thanks for each of us who have dared to choose the path of faith, hope, and love. Those of us who are not afraid to dream big + believe!
FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
31
40 Days of Faith
DAY 31 THROUGH HIM [JESUS CHRIST] YOU HAVE COME TO TRUST IN GOD, WHO RAISED HIM [JESUS] FROM THE DEAD AND GAVE HIM [JESUS] GLORY, SO THAT YOUR FAITH AND HOPE ARE SET ON GOD.
1 PETER 1:21 As if I needed another reason to love Jesus! Today's verse says that it's through Jesus the Christ that we have come to trust in GOD. Okay... • We often talk about Jesus dying in our place to save us from the eternal death (separation from God) that results from sin. Jesus died a painful, horrible death to save us from our sins. One we commemorate every Good Friday. But that's not why He was raised from the dead. Oh, no! • According to this verse God raised Jesus from the dead and gave Jesus glory (glorified Him) so that we would set our faith + hope on GOD. • Jesus died once and defeated death and sin for all time when He came back to life. But Jesus lives as our glorified Lord, not to keep saving us from the same mistakes, but so that we can live abundant lives filled with faith + hope, and the rewards of holding on to that faith + hope in GOD. • As a Believer, to Not have faith, to Not www.findlayhouse.com
trust GOD with big things + little things is an insult to our Living Savior. Wow! • If GOD could raise Jesus from the dead and erase our sins, what can't He do? We trust Him to welcome us into heaven when we die, but find it hard to trust Him with our finances. Which seems more farfetched, an invisible GOD raising us from the dead so we can experience heaven—a place we've never been and haven't seen— or trusting that same invisible GOD to make a tangible difference right now? • GOD didn't withhold His only Son Jesus from us, so why wouldn't He also freely give us everything else we need? Hint: He will! He has! (Romans 8:32 and 2 Peter 1:3) Why wouldn't GOD freely reward faith that has been tried + tested? • The greatest promise we have yet to be fulfilled is an eternity with Jesus, the lover of our souls. GOD will fulfill that. But He will also fulfill His other promises to you. No matter how long it may seem to take. The fact that Jesus lives to pray for us is proof that we can trust GOD to do exactly what He said He would do. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
32
DAY 32 HE [JESUS] SAID TO THEM, "BECAUSE OF YOUR LITTLE FAITH. FOR TRULY I TELL YOU, IF YOU HAVE FAITH THE SIZE OF A MUSTARD SEED, YOU WILL SAY TO THIS MOUNTAIN, 'MOVE FROM HERE TO THERE,' AND IT WILL MOVE; AND NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU."
MATTHEW 17:20 The disciples couldn't cast out a demon and when they asked Jesus why, He told them, plainly, that they didn't have enough faith. They were confident and convinced to the point of action that they could drive the demon out. Jesus goes on to tell them that a speck of faith—faith the size of a mustard seed—can move mountains. So the disciples didn't even have faith the size of a mustard seed in this instance. True Faith, even a little of it, can do the impossible. • Sure, the disciples had showcased faith in the past. But past faith actions have no bearing on the faith actions needed at present. Also, it's www.findlayhouse.com
possible to demonstrate faith in one area and not have it in another. • When is the last time you truly witnessed the impossible come to pass in your life? If you can't remember, it's time to activate your faith. • Remember GOD moves in our lives according to our faith actions and trust in Him. • Are we looking for GOD to do the impossible in + through us? We should. That's why Christ came, died, and rose again! So that He could continue His good work in the world through us. (John 14:12) Let's act on truth in every area of our lives, and witness the move + miracles of GOD! FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
33
40 Days of Faith
DAY 33
JESUS SAID TO HIM [THE BOY'S FATHER], "IF YOU ARE ABLE! - ALL THINGS CAN BE DONE FOR THE ONE WHO BELIEVES." MARK 9:23 Today's verse is really a two-fer (2-for-1), verses 23 and 24. The story from yesterday's faith verse is recounted with more details here in Mark's account. • The man whose son has been possessed appeals to Jesus and says "If you are able." Verse 23 is Jesus' response. He basically tells the man "Look, it's not a question of my power or ability, it's a matter of whether or not you have faith. If you can believe, if you can have faith in me, then anything is possible, all things can be done." • Verse 24 is the man's response which says, "I believe." And clearly he did, after all the man took his son to Jesus [the action]. www.findlayhouse.com
But in his honesty, the man appeals to Jesus once more, asking Jesus to strengthen his faith, asking Jesus to help him believe more fully! • I so see myself in these verses and maybe you do too. And I pray today that Jesus' words would resonate with you. It's not a question of Jesus' power or His ability. What more does He have to prove? He defeated death! It's a matter of whether or not we can put our faith in Him. There's nothing Jesus can't do. And once we really start believing that, the doors of impossibility will be open to us. • I believe. But God, strengthen me where my faith is weak. Help us to believe even more! Amen. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
34
DAY 34
JESUS LOOKED AT THEM AND SAID, "FOR MORTALS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT NOT FOR GOD; FOR GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. MARK 10:27 Today's verse directly addresses one of the barriers of faith, this idea of "impossible." Many of us do not dare to dream BIG because we fear what we desire is impossible and unachievable—at least for us... • Verse 23. Jesus recognized that the wealthy often put their faith in their wealth, rather than GOD, which makes it nearly impossible to enter the Kingdom of God. His statement shocked those who heard it. Wealth was thought to be a sign of GOD's blessings. In short, if the rich can't get into heaven, who can? (Verse 26) • The Kingdom of GOD is not only for the rich or only for the poor; and material things are not the only indicator of GOD's blessings. But Jesus www.findlayhouse.com
addresses an even larger issue here, the idea that there are things that are impossible. • There's so much to love about Jesus, but the fact that He's such a straight shooter is definitely a draw! Jesus doesn't say pretend impossibilities don't exist. No. They do. But they only affect humans, mortals, us. We can be limited by impossibility but GOD is limitless. Endless. Immense. Unfathomable. And impossibility cannot stop Him. • You may have big dreams and promises from GOD that seem impossible. They are impossible, but only if you attempt it alone. They are not impossible for our unstoppable GOD. Allow Him to do what you can't! Praise Him in advance, and give all glory to Him when those dreams + promises come true! FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
35
40 Days of Faith
DAY 35
FOR THIS REASON, THOSE WHO BELIEVE ARE BLESSED WITH ABRAHAM WHO BELIEVED. GALATIANS 3:9 Today's verse starts with the phrase, "For this reason..." For what reason? The answer to that question is found in verses 6 through 8. • Because Abraham had faith in GOD, and GOD counted it as righteousness, GOD gave Abraham a clue to the good news of Jesus Christ, way before Christ ever came to earth. • Therefore if we believe [have faith + trust in God], then like Abraham, we will be blessed! • That thought alone is lovely. Who doesn't like the idea of being blessed? But perhaps the
www.findlayhouse.com
most gripping part of the entire passage is coming to the understanding that we are blessed because Christ took on the curse we deserved (Verses 10 + 13 + 14). • Jesus is the reason we have life and can hope to accomplish great things in this world through faith. If it wasn't for Him and His sacrifice of love there wouldn't be much that we could look forward to. But because of Him—His birth, His example, His love, His death, His resurrection, and the promise that He will one day return—we can be blessed and live a life of faith that encourages + inspires others to trust in Him.
FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
36
DAY 36
DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED. BELIEVE IN GOD, BELIEVE ALSO IN ME. JOHN 14:2 Today's verse is a part Jesus' final discourse, before his betrayal and death. It is essentially part of Jesus' last will and testament. In a time that was obviously troubling for Jesus and His disciples, Jesus says to them (and to us) that the disciples should not let their hearts be troubled. • The word believe in Greek (pisteuo) is a derivative of the word faith (pistis). Some of the last words of Jesus include this beautiful, compassionate, and gentle reminder to have faith in GOD and in Him (Jesus). • Jesus' comforting words to His disciples are also words of sweet reassurance to us. We may not be able to control what is going on in the world, but we can control our response. • The world is full of trouble but we www.findlayhouse.com
don't have to let that trouble into us. • These words are actually a command. Do Not let your heart be troubled. • As we go about our lives, let us honor Christ by remembering these words. • Do Not let you heart be troubled. Do Not let your heart be discouraged. Do Not let your heart give up. Do Not let your heart get weary in doing good. Do not let your heart be moved away from the promises of God. • May our hearts be fixed on the One in whom we believe. The One in whom we place our faith. The One worthy of our trust. The One with a perfect track record. The One who always fulfills His promises. The One who died and rose again so we could live this life where faith births impossibilities. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
37
40 Days of Faith
DAY 37
SO I [JESUS] TELL YOU, WHATEVER YOU ASK FOR IN PRAYER, BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED IT, AND IT WILL BE YOURS. MARK 11:24 Yesterday's verse highlighted the fact that Jesus told His disciples to believe in Him. In today's verse, Jesus is giving a foolproof faith formula. • If we want to see GOD move on our behalf, if we want to see the impossible in our lives, if we want to lay hold to the promises of GOD, then all we have to do is: 1. Ask in prayer. 2. Believe it is done [faith actions] 3. Collect (or receive) what we've asked for. A. B. C. (Ask. Believe. Collect.) It's as easy as 1, 2, 3. • But is trusting GOD to act really that simple? Is faith really that easy? As humans, we have to reason that it simply cannot be that easy, because if it was everyone would have mountain moving faith. • Yet, all throughout the Bible we see that GOD does not lie. HE doesn't change His mind. HE doesn't go back on His word. (Numbers 23:19 | 1 Samuel 15: 29 | Hebrews 6: 18). Furthermore Jesus lived a sinless life. As GOD in human form, He lived a perfect life. Jesus was not being false when He said the words found in today's verse. www.findlayhouse.com
The book of James, particularly chapter 4, offers insight into why so many of us do not collect on the impossible, faith-generated things GOD would love to give us. • For some of us, we just don't ask. We never make it to Step 1. We go about life, either believing we Can't have it and great faith is simply Not for us, OR we try to achieve the impossible on our own, without seeking the GOD who makes the impossible, possible. (James 4:2). • Others of us may get through Steps 1 + 2 but never get to receive (Step 3) because, as James put it, we "ask wrongly." (James 4:3). Whether it's that we desire things that are in direct opposition of GOD's Word and/or His Will, or that we want seemingly good things but only "to spend what you get on your pleasures." Our Sovereign GOD has the right to refuse us. So what does it take to work the faith formula Jesus gave us? • In our lifelong quest to engage our faith and accomplish great things through faith, we must make sure our desires, our requests and our wills are aligned with GOD + His heart. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
38
DAY 38
...BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES ENDURANCE... JAMES 1:3 Faith isn't faith until it is tested. • As humans, we often look to take the path of least resistance, the easy way out. And the moment we commit to living a life filled with faith, to going against the grain, to refusing to settle for the status quo, to taking the narrow road (Matthew 7:13-14), we put a target on our backs. We stand out. Which makes it easy for the enemy to find us and attempt to drown our faith in doubt, discouragement, distress and distractions. • Anyone can dream BIG. The dreaming is easy. What's not easy is developing the drive + the discipline to do what it takes [faith actions] to support those dreams. • True faith comes with many trials that require sacrifice + suffering. A cost that most people are unwilling to pay. • In our "on demand" society—where it seems we can get most everything we want exactly when we want it—many people (and their dreams) are crushed beneath the weight of waiting; the idea www.findlayhouse.com
of delayed gratification seems heinous. And so they give up. Their faux faith fizzles out. • It's counterintuitive, countercultural, to rejoice when it seems the odds are stacked against us. But that's exactly what James encourages us to do (James 1:2). Because when true faith is challenged. tested. tried. it only builds endurance— Power to withstand hardship, adversity, stress, pain; the ability to continue to exist, to not only survive but to outlast. • And according to James 1:4, endurance— the ability to persevere—leads to maturity and wholeness. • Eternity has no end. We were created to one day live in eternity with GOD—the one who outlasts eternity, because He has no beginning or end. And every time we hold on to our faith, without wavering (James 1:6-8) and outlast the evidence, circumstances, situations, and obstacles that come against our faith, we prove our eternal quality a little more. We show that we have indeed been created in the image of our Eternal Father. FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
39
40 Days of Faith
DAY 39 TO THIS END WE ALWAYS PRAY FOR YOU, ASKING THAT OUR GOD WILL MAKE YOU WORTHY OF HIS CALL AND WILL FULFILL BY HIS POWER EVERY GOOD RESOLVE AND WORK OF FAITH...
2 THESSALONIANS 1:11 Let's turn the focus once more to the point of faith. We've covered how faith comes, what faith is, and what faith can do. But as this devotion draws to a close, let us remember why faith exists. • GOD is the why. He's not just the reason, or cause, behind faith. HE is the reason for it all! • Eternity exists for Him. As do you and I. The intangible quality of faith, that has the ability to manifest tangible results, points us to Him. • And Jesus, who walked among humankind, is the image of this Eternal and Invisible GOD (Colossians 1:15). It is in Christ Jesus that all things—visible + invisible, tangible + intangible—have been created. Through Him + For Him. Jesus is the center of it all, holding everything together (Colossians 1:16+17). • This Awesome GOD has called you to a life of faith. If He didn't, you would not be reading these words. But He did. The Uncreated One has called you to know Him. He wants you to experience His unending love for you. And He hopes www.findlayhouse.com
that you will respond to His invitation with faith. • Faith in a GOD you can't see. Faith in the fact that He exists, and that He does reward those who seek Him. Faith that He is exactly who He says He is. Faith that He keeps His word. Faith that His promises are true. Faith that He can make possible what seems impossible. Faith that He can breathe life into dead dreams and circumstances. Faith that His Power is more than enough. • GOD has called you. GOD wants you to act on the truth, His truth. He wants to glorify Jesus through you. • My prayer for you today is the same as Paul's prayer for the church at Thessalonica. My prayer is that GOD would make you worthy of this awesome invitation, no matter how unqualified or undeserving you may feel. And as you answer His call, and commit to getting to know Him through His Word and living a life of faith action that is pleasing to Him, may HE use His limitless power to fulfill every good resolve you make and every action of faith you take. In Jesus' name. Amen.
FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
Cara-Marie Findlay
40
DAY 40
...AND WHAT IS THE IMMEASURABLE GREATNESS OF HIS POWER FOR US WHO BELIEVE, ACCORDING TO THE WORKING OF HIS GREAT POWER. EPHESIANS 1:19 What have we learned, or reaffirmed over these last 40 days? • Here's what this personal challenge solidified for me: Faith is a gift from GOD. A gift we needed if we were ever going to please Him. Faith is proof of GOD's immeasurable, limitless, and tangible power. There is nothing, absolutely nothing—in time or in eternity—that GOD cannot handle. Nothing is too hard, too difficult, too big, too far gone, too unexpected, too anything for GOD. And by faith, through faith, we not only have access to God's divine power, we have access to GOD Himself! • The power that (and the One who) raised Jesus from the dead is available to you! • And so I end this 40-day journey with Paul's benediction (prayer of blessing) in Ephesians 1:17-23. www.findlayhouse.com
I pray that the GOD of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Him, so that with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know the hope to which He has called you, and the riches of His glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power for us who believe, according to the working of His great power. GOD put this power to work in Christ when GOD raised Jesus from the dead and seated Jesus at His right hand in heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And GOD has put all things under Jesus' feet and has made Jesus the head over all things for the church, which is the body of Christ, the fullness of Jesus, the One who fills all in all. • Amen. You have the truth, now act on it! FINDLAY HOUSE EBOOK
FHPUE050620001 www.findlayhouse.com