Faith University - Week 4 Devotionals
DAY 1
Gideon: The Faith that Trusts God’s Strength
Scripture Reading:
- Hebrews 11:32-34
- Judges 6:11-24, 7:1-22
Devotional:
As Pastor DJ shared this weekend, we must allow the fruits of our faith to grow, which the evidence comes when we are obedient. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.” Sometimes, the road ahead of us doesn’t make sense, but when we trust Him with every step, we will find leaps of faith all over our journey! We can see evidence of this through the judges that God appointed to help lead the Israelites after Moses and Joshua but before Saul and David.
Gideon was an unlikely hero, called by God to save Israel from the Midianites. Despite his initial doubts and fears, Gideon’s faith grew as he trusted God’s plan and strength. By faith, Gideon led a small army of 300 men to a miraculous victory, demonstrating that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. His story encourages us to trust in God’s strength rather than our own.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to trust in Your strength, especially when we feel weak and inadequate. Increase our faith to follow Your calling and to rely on Your power. Amen.
Scripture Reading:
- Hebrews 11:32-34
- Judges 6:11-24, 7:1-22
Devotional:
As Pastor DJ shared this weekend, we must allow the fruits of our faith to grow, which the evidence comes when we are obedient. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.” Sometimes, the road ahead of us doesn’t make sense, but when we trust Him with every step, we will find leaps of faith all over our journey! We can see evidence of this through the judges that God appointed to help lead the Israelites after Moses and Joshua but before Saul and David.
Gideon was an unlikely hero, called by God to save Israel from the Midianites. Despite his initial doubts and fears, Gideon’s faith grew as he trusted God’s plan and strength. By faith, Gideon led a small army of 300 men to a miraculous victory, demonstrating that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. His story encourages us to trust in God’s strength rather than our own.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to trust in Your strength, especially when we feel weak and inadequate. Increase our faith to follow Your calling and to rely on Your power. Amen.
DAY 2
Memorize Scripture
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7
"For we live by faith, not by sight."
Instruction:
Take time today to memorize 2 Corinthians 5:7. Reflect on how Gideon trusted God’s instructions and promises, even when they seemed impossible. Consider how you can live by faith in your own life, relying on God rather than what you see.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7
"For we live by faith, not by sight."
Instruction:
Take time today to memorize 2 Corinthians 5:7. Reflect on how Gideon trusted God’s instructions and promises, even when they seemed impossible. Consider how you can live by faith in your own life, relying on God rather than what you see.
DAY 3
Barak: The Faith that Follows God's Plan
Scripture Reading:
- Hebrews 11:32-34
- Judges 4:1-16
Devotional:
Barak’s faith was shown through his willingness to follow God’s plan by the prophetess Deborah. Though he hesitated initially, Barak obeyed and led Israel to victory against Sisera’s army. His story teaches us that faith sometimes involves following God’s plan through the guidance of others and trusting in His victory.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us to follow Your plans and the guidance You provide through others. Strengthen our faith to trust in Your victory, even when we have doubts. Amen.
Scripture Reading:
- Hebrews 11:32-34
- Judges 4:1-16
Devotional:
Barak’s faith was shown through his willingness to follow God’s plan by the prophetess Deborah. Though he hesitated initially, Barak obeyed and led Israel to victory against Sisera’s army. His story teaches us that faith sometimes involves following God’s plan through the guidance of others and trusting in His victory.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us to follow Your plans and the guidance You provide through others. Strengthen our faith to trust in Your victory, even when we have doubts. Amen.
DAY 4
Faith Activity
Activity:
Today, take time to serve others as an act of faith. Identify someone in your community who needs help and offer your assistance. Whether volunteering, providing a meal, or offering a listening ear, let God lead your actions and demonstrate His love and care.
Instruction:
Spend at least 30 minutes serving someone else today. Reflect on how serving others in faith can inspire and encourage them to trust God.
Activity:
Today, take time to serve others as an act of faith. Identify someone in your community who needs help and offer your assistance. Whether volunteering, providing a meal, or offering a listening ear, let God lead your actions and demonstrate His love and care.
Instruction:
Spend at least 30 minutes serving someone else today. Reflect on how serving others in faith can inspire and encourage them to trust God.
DAY 5
Samson: The Faith that Overcomes
Scripture Reading:
- Hebrews 11:32-34
- Judges 13:1-5, 16:23-30
Devotional:
Both excellent strength and significant failure marked Samson’s life, but ultimately, his faith led to victory over the Philistines. In his final act, Samson called upon God’s strength to defeat Israel’s enemies, sacrificing himself. His story reminds us that faith can lead to redemption and victory, even in our failures.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to overcome our failures through faith in Your strength. Use our lives to bring about Your purposes and inspire others to trust You. Amen.
Scripture Reading:
- Hebrews 11:32-34
- Judges 13:1-5, 16:23-30
Devotional:
Both excellent strength and significant failure marked Samson’s life, but ultimately, his faith led to victory over the Philistines. In his final act, Samson called upon God’s strength to defeat Israel’s enemies, sacrificing himself. His story reminds us that faith can lead to redemption and victory, even in our failures.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to overcome our failures through faith in Your strength. Use our lives to bring about Your purposes and inspire others to trust You. Amen.
DAY 6
Watch the devotional
Instruction:
Go to our Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pcfresno/) to watch the devotional from one of our pastors. Reflect on how the faith of Gideon, Barak, and Samson led to victories that inspired others to trust in God. Consider how you can apply these lessons to your own life and inspire those around you with your faith.
Final Thought:
This week, we’ve seen how the faith of Gideon, Barak, and Samson led to victories that inspired others despite their doubts and failures. A step of faith, no matter how much failure has come before it, will always reap a harvest of goodness. Their stories show that God can use us mightily when we trust Him. Let’s strive to live out our faith in a way that brings glory to God and encourages those around us.
Join us this weekend on Saturday at 6pm or Sunday at 9am and 11am as we continue Faith University!
Instruction:
Go to our Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pcfresno/) to watch the devotional from one of our pastors. Reflect on how the faith of Gideon, Barak, and Samson led to victories that inspired others to trust in God. Consider how you can apply these lessons to your own life and inspire those around you with your faith.
Final Thought:
This week, we’ve seen how the faith of Gideon, Barak, and Samson led to victories that inspired others despite their doubts and failures. A step of faith, no matter how much failure has come before it, will always reap a harvest of goodness. Their stories show that God can use us mightily when we trust Him. Let’s strive to live out our faith in a way that brings glory to God and encourages those around us.
Join us this weekend on Saturday at 6pm or Sunday at 9am and 11am as we continue Faith University!