Weekly Devotional: God's Response To You

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I learn things and take things without contemplating about them. Concerning God, I often heard the verse and said within sermons “Live by faith” or “Go by faith”.

Recently, I had to breakdown my life and see, was I living by faith.

According to Hebrews 11,

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

To put it plainly, it says in Mark:

He that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

When we begin to pray, it takes faith. Praying to a God that you cannot see, takes faith. Praying to a God you cannot touch takes faith.

When we read the bible and apply it to our lives, it takes faith. When we thank God and acknowledge God it takes faith.

When we believe that God sent Jesus to die for our sins, thereby allowing us to be forgiven every time we ask, regardless of what we’ve done it TAKES FAITH!!!

The bible says that God is pleased by faith and that without it God can’t be pleased. When you decide to do something for God it pleases him. But, sometimes we may ask ourselves, well how do I know it is pleasing???

As you continue in faith God will RESPOND TO YOU!!! God will RESPOND TO YOU!!!

Being a Christian and having a relationship with God, is a two way relationship. Problem with us sometimes is we expect God to do it our way. God can reach us in so many ways. Even when we decide to close off our ears, due to pride, self-pity or any excuse.

Last year, I was in a trial and my faith was being shaken. I wavered in faith week after week. My pastor preached a series on Jesus Strong that whole month. After, each Sunday I was encouraged but the week would tax my faith and I always arrive next Sunday needing more encouragement. One week I was invited to a Thursday service and the sermon was “Jesus Strong”. After, hearing the same content again that night it was clear to me what God needed from me.

 

That night is an example of a response. The thing about God’s response is that, the objective is to reach you. How God reaches me, may not be how God reaches you. One thing I do know is that when we seek God by faith, he will RESPOND!!

 The question is will we respond to God? Respond how, when we arise, by faith thank him for a new day.

Facing a strenuous situation, or in a fiery trial, thank God for a new hope. Bible says to glorify God, meaning thank God for his mercy, call him great for his handiwork the earth but more importantly you.

Someone may say how I can respond when I can’t feel him near and he hasn’t responded in a while.

Today your response will cause God to respond!!!

Hosea 2: 20-21

I will betroth you in^[g] faithfulness,
    and you will acknowledge the Lord.

²¹ “In that day I will respond,”
    declares the Lord—