November 21 | By Faith Jesus Submitted to the Father

Series | The Life of Amazing Faith

Scripture | Matthew 26:39, “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Lesson 21 | By Faith Jesus Submitted to the Father

The Bible teaches us that when Jesus came in the flesh He humbled Himself by becoming a servant.  Philippians 2:7 states, “Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”  Jesus did not think of His position in heaven (the second person in the God-nature, equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit) as something that He had to forcibly grasp.  Rather He was willing to empty Himself of His divine privileges to become a man so that He could be sacrificed for all mankind’s sins, Philippians 2:6-11.

Luke records in his gospel that because of Jesus’ incarnation He even humbled Himself to “grow” both in wisdom and stature with God and man, Luke 2:52.  At the same, Jesus never stopped being fully divine; He simply limited His divine attributes while on earth to operate as a normal man in serving the Father.

For this reason Jesus said in John 5:19, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”  Also, because of His humility He limited His knowledge of the future and said in Matthew 24:36, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Before Jesus’ crucifixion Matthew records that He expressed His weakness to the Father because He knew the suffering that was before Him.  However, Jesus also knew that there was no other way to redeem mankind and satisfy the wrath of God, therefore, He truly placed His faith in God and fully obeyed the Father’s will.

Hebrews 4:15 declares, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin.”  Therefore, we can be encouraged by Jesus’ obedience and trust with the Father in our own situations and weaknesses.  If Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, expressed his weakness and still fully obeyed the Father in all things; may we also completely trust the Father in all that He commands us to do!

 

Reflection | Do you have enough faith in God to say, “Not my will but your will be done in all the areas of my life?”    

Action | (1) Repent for the times you have not submitted yourself to God’s will for your life. (2) Make a decision to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. (3) Lastly, by faith, live your life fully submitted to the will of God!

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Ezekiel 42:1-43:27, James 5:1-20, Psalm 119:1-16, & Proverbs 28:6-7. Click here to read online.

November 20 | By Faith Simeon Waited For The Messiah

Series | The Life of Amazing Faith

Scripture | Luke 2:26, “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.”

Lesson 20 | By Faith Simeon Waited For The Messiah

Simeon was a devoted Jew that lived in Jerusalem who was given a promise from the Holy Spirit that he wouldn’t die until he saw the promised Messiah.  Luke records that when Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple to be presented before God the Lord spoke to Simeon to go to the temple courts and meet Jesus, Luke 2:27.

As he saw Jesus he took Him into his arms and praised God saying, “29 Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel,” Luke 2:29-32.  The Bible then records that Marry and Joseph were blown away by this man’s great faith and marveled in the presence of God. 

Lastly, Luke 2:34-35 records, “34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Simeon’s great faith encourages us today to never forget the promises that the Holy Spirit has spoken to our lives.  I can't imagine how it must of felt for Simeon to daily go to the temple and come home without seeing the Messiah.  But nonetheless he remained faithful to God’s promise.  He didn’t give up or turn his back on God just because the promise tarried in coming- he remained true to God’s Word.

The prophet Habakkuk said concerning God’s revelations and promises, “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay,” Habakkuk 2:3.  May we all remember the promises that God has spoken to us and never lose faith.  I believe, like with Simeon, God will do all that He said He would do!

Reflection | Do you believe God will do all He promised to do in your life?    

Action | (1) Recall all the promises that God has given you, both personally and through His written Word. (2) Decide today to remain faithful to God’s promises no matter how long they take to come to pass. (3) Lastly, by faith, never stop proclaiming and believing in God’s promises!

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Ezekiel 40:28-41:26, James 4:1-17, Psalm 118:19-29, & Proverbs 28:3-5. Click here to read online.

November 19 | By Faith John the Baptist Prepared the Way for Jesus

Series | The Life of Amazing Faith

Scripture | Luke 1:17, “And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Lesson 19 | By Faith John the Baptist Prepared the Way for Jesus

John the Baptist (which means he “baptized” people in water for repentance) was blessed with the honor of being the forerunner to Jesus’ incarnation and earthly ministry.  He was given to his mother Elizabeth and father Zechariah as a miracle child based on the prophetic words of an angelic visitation- similar to that of Samson, Luke 1:5-25. 

The angel that visited his parents proclaimed God’s plan for his life and that he was to be set apart and used mightily for the Lord according to the prophecy in Malachi 4:5-6, “5 See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

The Bible describes him living in the wilderness eating locusts and wild honey while wearing clothes made from camels hair with a leather belt around his waist, Mark 1:6.  When he began his ministry he was like a wild brush fire that set the Judean countryside ablaze with the message of repentance and water baptism, Luke 3:7-9!

Not only was he a man with amazing boldness and courage, but also he was extremely humble and aware of his secondary role to Jesus in the plan of God.  Mark 1:7 states, “And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.”  Thus, John was able to “stay in his lane” and not take what wasn’t his.  And because of his great humility he was given the honor of baptizing Jesus, Matthew 3:13-17.

As we see Jesus’ second coming approaching quickly in these last days may we all have the same faith of John the Baptist to go out into the world and preach the message of repentance and baptize all those who believe, Matthew 28:19.  I also pray that we can have the same humility of John to say, “He [Jesus] must become greater; I must become less.”

Reflection | Are you preparing the way for the second coming of Jesus by preaching the gospel?

Action | (1) Be filled with the Holy Spirit to be a witness for Jesus unto the ends of the earth, Acts 1:8. (2) Preach the message of repentance and faith in Jesus (the Gospel) as often as you can. (3) Lastly, by faith, never stop making Jesus’ name great and preparing for His return!

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Ezekiel 39:1-40:27, James 2:18-3:18, Psalm 118:1-18, & Proverbs 28:2. Click here to read online.

November 18 | By Faith Daniel Prayed

Series | The Life of Amazing Faith

Scripture | Daniel 6:10, “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”

Lesson 18 | By Faith Daniel Prayed

Many Christians around the world are familiar with the story of Daniel in the lion’s den.  The story has been told in countless Sunday school classes and church services to encourage people’s faith.  God sending His angel to shut the lion’s mouth has encouraged countless people to face their hardships knowing that if God is for them nothing can stand against them, Daniel 6:22.  However, most people don’t remember Daniel’s circumstances prior to the lion’s den that actually caused him to get sent there.

In summary, Daniel was a young Jewish man that was captured and forced to work in Babylon.  During his time in Babylon the empire went from being ruled by the Babylonians to the Medes and Persians.  Thus, much of the favor he and his three friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) had received under King Nebuchadnezzar was forgotten under King Darius, the new Persian King.

However, because Daniel quickly began to regain favor with the Persians and was made one of 120 governors of the kingdom the other leaders became jealous of him, Daniel 6:1-4.  So they tried to trap him and get him removed.  However, since they couldn’t find any compromise or dishonesty in his life, they choose to find fault with his religion.  So they tricked King Darius into signing a law that basically said no one could pray to any other god except him (because they worshipped him as a god). 

Once the law was made these men waited secretly by Daniel’s window to see if he would keep his three daily prayer times facing Jerusalem.  Once they saw him pray they captured him and threw him into the lion’s den as punishment.  And because God delivered him King Darius then threw the men who devised the plan into the den and honored Daniel and his God (the one true God).

Think about this, Daniel could have been spared the initial arrest, embarrassment, and punishment if he simply would have stopped praying.  Some people in the church wouldn’t have had to worry about getting arrested for praying because there wouldn’t be enough evidence to convict them!  Others might even find such an edict to “stop praying” to be a “relief” because they treat praying like a laborious chore. 

In turn, we can all learn a lesson of faith from Daniel’s prayer life.  He not only understood the great personal benefit from prayer- but also the national benefit.  Because of Daniel’s national prayers of repentance for Israel God was just in restoring them back to their land, Daniel 9:1-19.  Therefore, may we always follow the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and “pray continually!”

Reflection | Do you have a consistent daily prayer life?    

Action | (1) Repent to God if you have not been praying regularly. (2) Joyfully establish and maintain a life of prayer and worship to God. (3) Lastly, by faith, never stop praying!

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Ezekiel 37:1-38:23, James 1:19-2:17, Psalm 117:1-2, & Proverbs 28:1. Click here to read online.

November 17 | By Faith Three Jewish Boys Defied a King

Series | The Life of Amazing Faith

Scripture | Daniel 3:17-18, “17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Lesson 17 | By Faith Three Jewish Boys Defied a King

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three young Israelite men who were brought over to live in Babylon after the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem.  Their original Jewish names were- Hananiah, Misha'el, and Azariah; however, their captors gave them their well-known names from the Chaldean language.

These three young men were peers to Daniel and together were trained in the courts of King Nebuchadnezzar to be leaders in his kingdom, Daniel 1:3-7.  Their famous story takes place when King Nebuchadnezzar built a 90-foot idol and brought all the leaders in Babylon together to worship it and honor him.  A threat of being thrown into a fiery furnace was given to all who refused to bow down and worship the image, Daniel 3:6.

After the call to worship someone noticed that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not bowing down before the idol like everyone else.  The three young men then were brought directly before the king and told if they didn’t bow down they’d be thrown into the fire.  They boldly refused and responded with the words found in the verses above.  Their faith in God made the king so furious that he had the furnace heated up seven times hotter and then threw them into the fire. 

While the young men were in the furnace the king saw it was not burning them but instead there appeared in the fire one who appeared as the “son of the gods.”  We now know that this was the one and only eternal Son of the true God- Jesus!  As a result, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were taken out of the furnace and were honored by the king because of their great faith and dependence upon God.

I believe one of the greatest lessons we can learn from their faith is to stand up for God, without compromise, no matter the cost.  I love how they said, “even if he [God] does not [deliver us], we want you to know… that we will not serve your gods!”  They acted courageously regardless of the consequences or harm they might face- no matter what they weren’t going to worship the idol!

Can you say the same thing to your culture, family, and friends?  Can you say by faith in God- I will not bow down to “political correctness,” “atheism,” “the homosexual agenda,” “abortion,” “evolution,” and “Hollywood’s idolatry?” I pray that we all can be encouraged by these humble young men to serve God and God alone regardless of the consequences.  

Reflection | What things in your culture are you boldly not bowing down to and agreeing with?    

Action | (1) Repent if you have the “fear of man” or the “fear of persecution.” (2) Ask God to fill you with His boldness to stand for righteousness- no matter the cost. (3) Lastly, by faith, don’t bow down to the idols of this generation but rather worship God alone!

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Ezekiel 35:1-36:38, James 1:1-18, Psalm 116:1-19, & Proverbs 27:23-27. Click here to read online.

November 16 | By Faith Jeremiah Preached

Series | The Life of Amazing Faith

Scripture | Jeremiah 20:9, “But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”

Lesson 16 | By Faith Jeremiah Preached

Jeremiah was the last major prophet to warn the people of Judah before the Babylonians took them into captivity.  Jeremiah lived in a time when the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms called the Northern and Southern Kingdoms.  The Northern Kingdom was known as “Israel” with Samaria being its capitol and the Southern Kingdom was known as “Judah” with Jerusalem being its capitol.  Israel had ten tribes and Judah had two tribes from the total of twelve tribes that settled in the land during the time of Joshua.

Both the kings in Israel and Judah were constantly disobeying God and leading the people astray with idolatry, thus, God warned them through various prophets that if they didn’t repent and worship the true and living God they would be conquered and taken into slavery, Jeremiah 1:16.  However, neither kingdom listened to the prophets God sent and eventually after many warnings the nation of Israel was conquered by Assyria in 722 B.C.

Just one hundred years after the fall of the Northern Kingdom God used Jeremiah to give the final warnings to Judah that if they didn’t repent that they too would be conquered, but this time by the Babylonians.  Jeremiah was set apart at birth to be Judah’s last hope, however, the people refused to change and thus Jeremiah’s main message become one of judgment, Jeremiah 7:25-26.  Because the Jewish leaders and priests hated hearing about their impending doom they severely persecuted Jeremiah by beating him and throwing him into a pit, Jeremiah 38.

During this time of Jeremiah’s life he felt so discouraged and disappointed that he didn’t want to preach anymore.  However, by placing his faith in God he declared the verse above that even if he tried he could not hold back God’s Word because it was like fire shut up in his bones!  As a result of Jeremiah’s faithfulness to preach he was given encouraging prophecies regarding Israel’s punishment that served as great hope for people like Daniel who eventually lived in captivity, Daniel 9:2. 

Therefore, we should be encouraged to imitate Jeremiah’s faith to continue preaching God’s Word even when we don’t see results or “feel” like it.  We must be faithful to preach the gospel in season and out season so future generations can be saved.  It is our job to pass the gospel torch to the next generation so don’t try to hold it in; let your life burn bright for the world to see!

Reflection | Are you willing to preach the gospel even if you suffer persecution and no one listens? 

Action | (1) Ask the Holy Spirit to set your life on fire.  (2) Preach the gospel as often as you can. (3) Lastly, by faith, be a gospel preacher like Jeremiah! 

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Ezekiel 33:1-34:31, Hebrews 13:1-25, Psalm 115:1-18, & Proverbs 27:21-22. Click here to read online.

November 15 | By Faith Elisha Understood Mentorship

Series | The Life of Amazing Faith

Scripture | 1 Kings 19:21, “So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.”

Lesson 15 | By Faith Elisha Understood Mentorship

Elisha was just an ordinary farmer until the prophet Elijah came up to him and placed his mantle on him, which meant he wanted him to be his protégé.  By faith Elisha received the calling to be trained under Elijah and left his home, family, and comfort to follow and serve the man of God.  God wanted Elijah to rise up another prophet to take his place when his time on earth was finished and Elisha was the perfect choice. 

Elisha didn’t start off doing great things in man’s eyes, but rather he was the servant of Elijah.  His tasks would involve washing Elijah’s hands, running errands for him, and being a source of encouragement for Elijah, 2 Kings 3:11.  As time went by, Elijah was called by God to take a chariot to heaven.  He commanded Elisha to go from him and carry on the ministry.  However, Elisha was not willing to leave Elijah because he loved him dearly.  He said, “I will not leave you,” 2 Kings 2:6.  Because of Elisha’s persistence Elijah blessed him by basically saying, “If you see me go to heaven then you will be able to double that which I have done for the Lord,” 2 Kings 2:9-10.

Sure enough Elisha followed Elijah all the way until he watched him be taken up into heaven on a chariot of fire.  He then saw the mantle that Elijah wore fall from the sky and he put it on.  This was the same mantle that was placed on him years ago.  Now with Elijah’s mantle in hand Elisha served the Lord just as his leader had taught him. 

During Elisha’s life he was able to do more miracles in number and see greater things than Elijah had even seen, like seeing an army of angels with chariots of fire guarding his house, 2 Kings 6:17.  I believe Elisha’s greatest accomplishment was starting a “school of the prophets” which multiplied the teachings he had received from Elijah so that Israel would have godly leaders all throughout the land, 2 Kings 6:1.

By faith, Elisha was able to humble himself to be taught by Elijah.  Thus, the calling of Elisha to be a disciple of Elijah was an Old Testament shadow of Jesus calling His disciples.  Today, may we all have the same faith of Elisha to be a disciple of Jesus Christ that makes new disciples, Matthew 28:19-20!

Reflection | Are you a disciple that makes disciple?  In other words, are you being trained by someone more experienced in the things of God so you can train others?   

Action | (1) Ask God to place you under a godly mentor to disciple you.  (2) Prayerfully look for opportunities to disciple others. (3) Lastly, like Elisha, by faith live a life of discipleship! 

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Ezekiel 31:1-32:32, Hebrews 12:14-29, Psalm 113:1-114:8, & Proverbs 27:18-20. Click here to read online.