Background Story: In the New Testament, the word “pistis” is used 243 times and is translated as the word “faith” or “believe”. This word means “full assurance, conviction, reliance, trust, constancy, and confidence”. Today’s reading passages and the dig deeper section are just a few places where we read this word in the New Testament. As you read these passages, ask the Holy Spirit for fresh revelation of what it means to be a man or woman of faith.

Bible Passages to Read:

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Romans 4:18-20 “ Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God”

Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”

Romans 10:17 “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

Galatians 5:5-6 “For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

Ephesians 6:16 “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one”

Galatians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Colossians 1:22-23 “Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.”

Big Idea: Faith requires putting our full weight on God.

When a child gets into a swing and lifts their legs up, soaring high into the air- they do this because of FAITH. They have full assurance and absolute certainty that the swing is able to hold their weight. By picking up their feet from the ground and holding firmly onto the ropes, they are able to experience the joy of souring to heights they could never reach on their own.

FAITH in God is like this. It requires full assurance, absolute certainty, and a trust in God’s ability to carry our load. We keep our feet down, seeking control, worried that God might need our assistance. But faith is picking up your feet, holding tight to God, and trusting Him as He propels you forward.

Read today’s verses again and ask the Holy Spirit if there are areas in your life where you need to relinquish control, pick up your feet, and trust Him.

Takeaway Verse:

Song For Today:

Looking For More?

Dig Deeper: Matthew 8:5-13, Matthew 15:21-28, Acts 3:1-16, Hebrews 11

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