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Faith is the evidence of things not seen, 

Total trust in God will make you win, 

Holding onto the invisible, Holding onto the holy unseen, 

Replacing fear of the unseen with faith in the unseen. 

Seeing is believing, and believing is seeing, 

Blessed is one who believes before seeing, 

Trusting the One who knows the end from the beginning, 

Firmly believing that Christ is the One and only king. 

Have your shield of faith, Don’t let doubt come close, 

Embrace positive emotions; let them bloom like a rose, 

God, the great physician, has prescribed a daily dose, 

Of reading the Bible, that evil shall not come close. 

Faith is full proof; you need no other, 

By faith, we should love God and love one another, 

The Holy Spirit, Christ and God the Father, 

Have given you the best book, better than all the others. 

Introduction 

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) – “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” 

We looked at the first part of Hebrews 11:1, which says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for.” Now we will look at the second part of the same verse, which says, “Faith is the evidence of things not seen.” 

The King James Version says, “Faith is the evidence of things not seen.” The New International Version says, “Faith is the assurance about what we do not see.” The English Standard Version says, “Faith is the conviction of things not seen.” The Amplified Bible Classic Edition states, “Faith is the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].” 

Synonyms for evidence – Proof, confirmation, verification, corroboration. 

Oxford Dictionary definition of Evidence – the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is valid. 

Oxford Dictionary definition of Assurance – a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise. 

Oxford Dictionary definition of Conviction – a firmly held belief or opinion. 

Faith is the evidence, assurance, confirmation or proof of invisible things. Ellen G. White says that Faith is not certainty of knowledge. Faith goes beyond human knowledge; it goes beyond human understanding and wisdom. Therefore, faith needs to come before knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Hebrews 11:3 (KJV) – “Through faith, we understand.” If we have faith, we shall be able to acquire, understand and apply the only true knowledge, which is the Word of God. 

“It is not essential to the exercise of faith that the feelings should be wrought up to a high pitch of excitement; neither is it necessary, in order to gain the hearing of the Lord, that our petitions should be noisy, or attended with physical exercise.” – The Faith I live by, Page 122, Ellen G. White. 

Exercising faith is more than shouting when worshipping. It is more than feeling excited after hearing a sermon or reading and understanding a portion of scripture. Faith goes beyond feeling. There is no problem with feeling excited or convicted, but faith goes beyond this. Faith is believing that everything will work out together for good (Romans 8:28) even when things are not going your way because you are not trusting in your power to make them work out but in the power of the Almighty. 

Through faith, a person can maintain a positive mindset despite their circumstances. In his book, As A Man Thinketh, James Allen says, “A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly yet surely, shape his circumstances.” Our circumstances are often beyond our control, but our thoughts are within our control.  

We can control, to a large degree, what enters our minds by being careful of the things we watch and listen to. Some of the things that enter our eyes and ears negatively influence our minds and only result in the degradation of our thoughts and reasoning capacity.  

If we stop watching, listening to and reading material that is evil, we shall bring great healing to our minds. And if we become intentional about spending more time on God’s Word and material that will have us spiritually inclined, our thoughts will be elevated as high as Heaven. Proverbs 25:2 (KJV) – “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” God conceals matters in His Word. Kings receive glory when they diligently study the Word of God, searching for underlying truths. They receive great honour when they apply it. Myron Golden says, “Your best chance at your best life is to make the Word of God your life study.” 

Faith is not believing that God will do as you say, but it is believing that God will do as He says. God is not indebted to fulfil your word, but He is obliged to fulfil His Word. Numbers 23:19 (KJV) – “Hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” Psalm 138:2 (KJV) – “For Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name.” God has placed His Word above all His names; therefore, if He makes a promise, He shall surely do it because, unlike us, He cannot go against His Word. 

“Will I always get what I want? No! But I will always get what God wants. The same is true for you. Whether you are a Christian or not, you must never think that simply believing in something is enough. You can believe in your dreams, but you have to take action to make them happen. You can believe in your talents and have faith in your abilities, but if you don’t develop them and put them to use, what good are they? You can believe that you are a good and caring person, but if you don’t treat others with goodness and care, where is the proof?” – Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action, Nick Vujicic. 

If what you want is in line with the will of God, you will get it. To get familiar with the will of God, you need to study His Word. Believing is beyond feelings. A belief is more grounded and is proved when one acts on it. A famous saying goes, “If you don’t live it, then you don’t believe it.” 

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. We must act promptly with certainty and a high conviction on the invisible, not just the visible. If we have a Godly business idea, we need to put our effort into it, believing it will succeed even before it succeeds. We must seek God and His righteousness wholeheartedly, even though we don’t see Him. 

We should live by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). If we wait to see before taking action, we will accomplish nothing. Many have had opportunities slide through their fingers and get entirely lost because of uncertainty avoidance. Some have regretted it when they later realized the magnitude of the opportunities they lost.  

Esau lost his birthright and blessing. The Bible says he sought his blessing with tears after losing it (Hebrews 12:17), but it was forever gone. Many of you might have realized this; you may have a unique idea but procrastinate or refuse to work on it. Once you fail to work on it, it doesn’t take long to see someone else flourishing with the idea you once had because God’s purpose must be fulfilled.  

The same God who kept that idea in your imagination can put it in someone else’s imagination if you fail to work on it. He gives everyone equal chances. He expects you to depend on Him to help you with your shortcomings while working on your purpose.  

The difference between those who are successful and those who are not is not the absence of opportunities for some and the presence of opportunities for others. It is faith that makes the difference. Not all highly successful people in the world are Christians, but all people who have succeeded have had an element of faith. They believed in the unseen and influenced others to do the same before it was manifested in the physical realm. 

John 20:29 (KJV) – “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” 

Thomas could not believe in Jesus without seeing proof. Before the flood, only Noah and his family were saved because people chose not to believe in God. They did not believe a flood would come because they had never seen rain since God created the world. While leaning on their own understanding, they could not comprehend a scenario in that rain would fall and cover the whole earth because it had never happened. 

Many people with their hearts clouded with doubt never imagine getting to the next level because they have not yet been on that level. For example, some do not believe it is possible to get married because they have not yet been married.  

Others do not think it is possible to start a successful business because they have never started a successful business. While others do not believe it is possible to gain victory over a particular sin because they haven’t been able to overcome it.  

God told Abraham to get from the land of the familiar and go to the land of the unfamiliar and promised to bless him if he did that (Genesis 12:1-3). Therefore, you do not need to understand or be familiar with where God is taking you; you should have faith. Hebrews 11:3 (KJV) – “Through faith we understand.” A successful life is a life that puts faith before understanding and familiarity. God wants to take you to places you can’t take yourself and give you things you can’t get yourself if you have faith. 

“Faith is not feeling…. True faith is in no sense allied to presumption. Only he who has true faith is secure against presumption, for presumption is Satan’s counterfeit of faith.” – The Faith I Live by, Page 122, Ellen G. White. 

We all believe in something. However, the only faith that works is faith in God. Some might argue that they have been successful without having faith in God. That is not true success. The little success they have gained would not be possible if God did not allow it.  

Faith is not presumption nor linked to it in any way whatsoever. Faith in God is not based on probability. Faith is not commanding God to obey your word. It is yielding to God’s Word and believing that God will do as He says. God’s Word leaves no room or space for uncertainty. God’s Word is like a contract and a stamp simultaneously. It says something, and it approves itself. Therefore, be still for God is in control.  

The creation account teaches us that God’s Word is reliable. Genesis 1:3 (KJV) – “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” All through Genesis 1, we see that whatever God commands to appear, it appears. Pastor Randy Skeete says, “The Word of God is more reliable than the fact that the day after Wednesday is Thursday.” He also says, “Faith is trusting the impossible simply because the Word of God says so.”  

Titus 1:2 says that God cannot lie. Hebrews 6:18 says that it is impossible for God to lie. Someone can discourage you by telling you, you will never stop a particular sinful addiction that you are having, but the Word of God says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).” It is upon you to choose to believe that person’s word or God’s Word. 

Mark 11:23 (KJV) – “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” 

People have succeeded in attaining the highest levels of earthly education. A few have been awarded Doctor of Philosophy degrees, while some have earned professorships. Many people have achieved in their careers, and a few have reached the highest heights of their careers in a short period. We have people who have experienced success in their marriages and families.  

To go further: People have come up with astonishing inventions that have revolutionized the world. People of faith have done miracles like healing the sick and raising the dead; a good example is Peter, a disciple of Jesus. People have written books that have sold billions of copies worldwide, and some have written books that have significantly transformed lives. People have climbed the highest mountains in the world, such as Mount Everest. 

Human beings have done all these marvelous things, but I know nobody who has successfully uprooted a mountain and thrown it in the sea. What does all this mean? This means that if you have faith, you will be able to do what has never been done by anyone in the world.  

The Bible says in Deuteronomy 28:13 that God will make you the head and not the tail, meaning you shall be the first and not the last. This verse is backed up with the evidence of various heroes of faith in the Bible. Enoch was the first person in the Bible/History to be translated to Heaven directly without seeing death. Mary was the first lady in the world to give birth to God (Jesus) when He came in the incarnate form. Moses was the first to drive the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.  

Joseph was the first Israelite to be appointed Prime Minister in Egypt. Abraham and Sarah were the first to receive a child when both their reproductive organs had died. King Josiah was the first Jew to be appointed king at eight years old. Samson was the first to receive superhuman strength, and Solomon was the first to receive superhuman wisdom.  

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were the first to come out alive from a fiery furnace heated seven times. Daniel was the first to come out alive from a den filled with hungry lions. The fact that something has not happened does not mean it cannot occur. God has made everyone unique and has given each one a unique identity and purpose. If you have faith in Him, He will enable you to be the first to do what has never been done. 

When earthquakes, floods or other natural disasters appear, they sweep away buildings, trees and many other things. However, none of these disasters has been able to sweep away a mountain. In the time of Noah, the flood swept everything away except the mountains.  

The Bible records in Genesis 7:20 (KJV) – “Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.” As boisterous as they were, the flood waters and the winds did not sweep away the mountains. They only covered them.  

No bomb created by a human being can uproot a mountain, not even a nuclear bomb. The Bible says if you have faith in God, with no doubt in your heart, your word will uproot a mountain and cast it into the sea. In other words, you can do what natural and man-made disasters have never done. Faith will make all manner of evil tremble at your feet. 

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. 

Romans 4:19-21 (KJV) – “¹⁹ And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: ²⁰ He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; ²¹ And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.” 

Abraham’s loins and Sarah’s womb were both dead. Abraham did not look at his current condition. He did not worry about his old age. He focused on God’s promise. God’s assurance that he would have a child was enough evidence that he would indeed have that child. Even though a quarter of a century passed after God had promised him that he would have children, he did not doubt God because length of time does not affect the promises of God. 

Matthew 14:25-31 (KJV) – “²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. ²⁷ But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. ²⁸ And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. ²⁹ And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, He walked on the water, to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. ³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” 

“Looking unto Jesus, Peter walks securely; but as in self-satisfaction he glances back toward his companions in the boat, his eyes are turned from the Saviour. The wind is boisterous. The waves roll high, and come directly between him and the Master; and he is afraid. For a moment Christ is hidden from his view, and his faith gives way. He begins to sink. But while the billows talk with death, Peter lifts his eyes from the angry waters, and, fixing them upon Jesus, cries, “Lord, save me.” Immediately Jesus grasps the outstretched hand, saying, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” – The Desire of Ages, Page 381, Ellen G. White. 

At first, Peter acted in faith by obeying the command of Jesus when He told him, “Come.” When Peter saw the boisterous wind, he began doubting, thus losing trust in God’s Word. This lack of faith caused him to start sinking. Lack of faith makes one sink in life. It leads to failure.  

Peter didn’t realize that the power to walk on water was in the Word “Come”, which Jesus told him. He forgot that the ability to walk on water for the few seconds he had walked was a miracle. He didn’t understand that He who had made him walk on water would make him overcome the boisterous winds. 

“When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. “Fear not,” He says; “for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.” Isaiah 43:1-3.” – The Desire of Ages, Page 382, Ellen G. White. 

“Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,—to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him.” – The Desire of Ages, Page 381, Ellen G. White. 

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. 

What are some of the things we don’t see? 

God 

“When we speak of faith, there is a distinction that should be borne in mind. There is a kind of belief that is wholly distinct from faith. The existence and power of God, the truth of His Word, are facts that even Satan and his hosts cannot at heart deny. The Bible says that “the devils also believe and tremble”; but this is not faith. Where there is not only a belief in God’s Word, but a submission of the will to Him; where the heart is yielded to Him, the affections fixed upon Him, there is faith—faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Through this faith the heart is renewed in the image of God. And the heart that in its unrenewed state is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, now delights in its holy precepts, exclaiming with the psalmist, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97. And the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us, “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1.” – Steps to Christ, Page 63-64, Ellen G. White. 

Some people are waiting to see God to believe He exists. Jesus told Thomas in John 20:29 (KJV) – “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” We will see Jesus physically until His second coming. Only those who believe will be saved, but those who choose not to believe will be destroyed. 

God has filled the earth with evidence of His Word. The trees, birds, flowers, heavenly bodies and all created things are enough evidence to prove that God’s Word works. We are surrounded by the evidence of God everywhere we go. It will result from our foolishness when we choose hellfire instead of eternal life. 

God exists. We did not create ourselves. Therefore, we do not fully understand ourselves. We neither know the number of hairs on our heads nor the number of cells in our bodies. We do not fully understand how our bodies function, and no scientist does, for that matter. It is only God who does.  

If we were self-sufficient and fully independent as we claim to be, we could control our lifespan and set it to immortality. We would never make plans that fail and be in full control of the universe. Therefore, it needs honesty and humility to accept that a higher being controls everything. 

Jeremiah 13:23 (KJV) – “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?” 

The Bible does not say the leopard’s spots and the Ethiopian’s skin cannot be changed. Instead, it says the Ethiopian has no power to change his skin, and the leopard cannot change its spots. This verse shows us how powerless we are. Until we realize how powerless we are, we can never grow. With humility, we need to yield to the will of God. If we do so, we can access the blessings God has in store for us. 

The fact that we don’t see God does not mean He does not exist. There are lots of things which we do not see that exist. We do not see our faces save by the help of images in mirrors and photographs, but they do exist. We do not see our internal organs, such as cells, but they exist.  

X-ray scans have been made to give us images of our internal organs. Microscopes have been made to view microscopic elements, like bacteria, that are invisible to the naked eye. God gave us dominion over the earth and everything that lives on it, including the microscopic elements (Genesis 1:28). This means that they are under our control. 

Therefore, inventing equipment that enables us to see things on Earth is relatively easy. God did not give us dominion over Him. He will always remain above us because He is the Creator, and we are created beings. Therefore, no matter how hard we try, no one can invent equipment that enables one to see God. The people building the tower of Babel tried to build a tower that would reach Heaven, but God rendered their labors useless.  

Some scientists know that inventing equipment that enables one to see God is impossible. However, due to a lack of humility in accepting that their knowledge is limited, they preach that there is no God. Worldly education is limited. We cannot fully rely on the science of this world to prove the existence of the God who created the universe.  

We cannot use the incomplete and inadequate education of this world to prove the existence of a God who arts in Heaven (Matthew 6:9). We cannot use our finite minds and thoughts to fully understand an infinite God whose thoughts are incomparable to ours because they are as high as Heaven is from earth (Isaiah 55:8-9). 

We lose nothing when we believe in God and walk in His ways. Obeying God’s commandments enables us to live in harmony with all creation. Therefore, faithful obedience to God will prevent us from encountering most problems. If we can be honest with ourselves, we will realize that most of our problems have resulted from our own sins. All difficulties you will ever encounter come from your own or somebody else’s sin. 

You may be a qualified youth facing the challenge of unemployment, you apply for a job you qualify for, but they end up not taking you because someone else has given a bribe. That sinful act of corruption by someone else has rendered your job-searching efforts futile. If you revenge, the situation will not improve; it will only worsen.  

Therefore, as a Christian, the best thing to do is to live by faith and obey God no matter the circumstances because change begins with you. Through your righteous example, some will get converted gradually but surely. Many people will be transformed, and the environment around you will be peaceful. 

2 Chronicles 20:20 (KJV) – “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 

Believing in God has great and endless benefits. The Bible promises that if you believe in God, you shall have a firm foundation to set you up in all aspects of your life. A solid Christian foundation will make you equipped in all life areas. It gives one wisdom to handle their social, family and career lives properly. 

Believing in God has benefits for one’s physical health. “Let the mind become intelligent, and the will be placed on the Lord’s side, and there will be a wonderful improvement in the physical health.” – Mind Character and Personality, Volume 2, Page 690.4, Ellen G. White. 

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” 

When approaching God, you must believe in His Word and His existence. Many of us go to God with hearts filled with doubt. The Bible says, “He that cometh to God must believe that He is.” It is a sin to approach God without faith. People will receive answers to their prayers if they fully trust God. 

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) – “He that cometh to God must believe that He is.” When you go to God you must believe that He is loving, He is kind, He is merciful, He wants the best for you than you want for yourself, He is the great physician, He is all-powerful, He is all-knowing, He is omnipresent, He is gracious, He is faithful, He is the one and only true God and all other righteous qualities you can ever think of. 

If one believes God is the only true God, they will not approach witch doctors. Some Christians worship God, but like Saul, they visit evil shrines due to impatience. It is not strange to hear regular church-going Christians saying that things to do with God take such a ‘long’ time while the Bible says the Lord is not slow concerning His promise as some men count slowness (2 Peter 3:9).  

God has made it clear in Exodus 20:3 that we should not have any other gods before Him. Therefore, when we approach other sources besides God, He is not obligated to answer our prayers. Some Christians do not believe God is all-powerful. They believe God can heal small illnesses but not chronic ones. Some do not believe that God is all-knowing. Therefore, they try to deceive God in their prayers, not knowing that God can read deep into their hearts and know their true motives. “He that cometh to God must believe that He is (Hebrews 11:6).” 

“There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. God, who is love, is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation.” – 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh Day Adventists. 

God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit exist and are all part of the Godhead. When you pray, you must believe that these three members of the Godhead exist. Some people believe in God the Father but do not believe in Jesus Christ. Some believe that Jesus Christ is not God.  

When talking about Jesus, John 1:1 (KJV) says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:14 (KJV) says, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”  

Jesus Christ (The Son) is a member of the Godhead who came on earth to dwell with us in the human body. Therefore, when John 1:1 says, “The Word was God,” it means that Jesus Christ is God. Hebrews 1:8 (KJV) – “But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Thy kingdom.” In Hebrews 1:8, God the Father calls Jesus Christ God, meaning Jesus is equally divine. He is God. 

Many Christians believe we only have God the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit is not an intelligent personality. What does the Bible say? Luke 3:22 (KJV) – “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased.”  

In Luke 3:22, we see the concept of the Trinity. The voice from Heaven was the Father’s voice. The baptized person was Jesus, and the Holy Spirit was a separate personality that descended like a dove. Matthew 28:19 (KJV) – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”  

The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost work in unison and are all part of the Godhead, but they are three distinct and intelligent personalities. Therefore, one cannot be baptized in the name of the Father and the Son alone. The Holy Ghost has to be present as well, as He was present during the baptism of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is equally divine as God the Father and Christ the Son. Therefore, when you pray, involve them all. Pray to God the Father (Matthew 6:9) in the name of Jesus (John 14:13-14) and through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26). 

Mark 2:28 (KJV) – “Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.” 

Jesus is the owner of the Sabbath. The Sabbath day is God’s Day and not our day. Therefore, if we believe in Jesus Christ, we must keep the Sabbath as He says and on the day He says. If He says the Sabbath is the seventh day (Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11), let us observe the seventh day and not any other day. 

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. You need to have faith in the existence of God. 

God’s Mercy and Love 

Micah 7:18 (KJV) – “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy.” 

God finds joy in forgiveness. As much as He hates sin, He delights in mercy. What should we do for God to forgive us? All we need to do is to ask Him for forgiveness. Many do not believe that God has forgiven them because they feel their sin is too big to be forgiven. God hates sin but loves all human beings, and He does not want anyone to perish. Therefore, even though your sins are as red as scarlet, He will make you white as snow when you go to Him because He does not want to lose you.  

Some people ask God for forgiveness but do not feel that they have been forgiven. Hence they think that God has not forgiven them. You do not have to feel forgiven when you ask for forgiveness. Have faith; believe that God has forgiven you because His Word says in 1 John 1:9 (KJV) – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  

Others are struggling with a certain sin and have decided not to ask God for forgiveness because they keep on repeating the same sin. Do not lose hope in God because God has never lost hope in you. Keep going to Him, asking Him for forgiveness and to help you overcome that sin. God is faithful; He will make you overcome it. It is an act of faith to persist in prayer. 

“It is true that Satan frequently creates in the heart of the suppliant such a conflict with doubt and temptation that strong cries and tears are involuntarily forced from him; and it is also true that the penitent’s sense of guilt is sometimes so great that a repentance commensurate with his sin causes him to experience an agony that finds vent in cries and groans, which the compassionate Saviour hears with pity. But Jesus does not fail to answer the silent prayer of faith. He who simply takes God at His Word, and reaches out to connect himself with the Saviour, will receive His blessing in return.” – The Signs of the Times, May 31, 1877, Ellen G. White. 

Matthew 6:12 (KJV) – “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” It is unfair to ask God to forgive us when we can’t forgive others. Therefore, we need to forgive others even though it is sometimes difficult. Forgiving other people is an act of faith. When you forgive someone, pray for that person to be transformed. 

“Jesus teaches that we can receive forgiveness from God only as we forgive others. It is the love of God that draws us unto Him, and that love cannot touch our hearts without creating love for our brethren.” – God’s Love Proclaimed, Ellen G. White. 

“He who is unforgiving cuts off the very channel through which alone he can receive mercy from God. We should not think that unless those who have injured us confess the wrong we are justified in withholding from them our forgiveness.” – God’s Love Proclaimed, Ellen G. White. 

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Faith believes in God’s mercy and love. Faith is forgiving others. 

Gifts of the Holy Spirit 

1 Corinthians 12:7-10 (KJV) – “⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. ⁸ For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; ⁹ To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; ¹⁰ To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:” 

God has given each human being at least one gift. We are to use our gifts for His glory. If we use the gifts bestowed on us to further His kingdom, we shall profit from them. We shall increase in happiness and peace. Our gifts shall be increased, too, because we have shown faithfulness in little. Therefore, God will trust us to give us much. Through the Godly use of our gifts, more people shall be blessed, and the world will be better than it currently is. 

Matthew 25:24-30 (KJV) – “²⁴ Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. ²⁶ His Lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: ²⁷ Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. ²⁸ Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. ²⁹ For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. ³⁰ And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 

Unfortunately, many of us behave like the foolish servant who buried his talent. Various people have died without using their God-given gifts or following their God-given purpose. This is because many do not know what their gifts are. The first step in finding your gift is to pray. Secondly, you can figure out which things you do best without much strain. The next step after this is to ask yourself, how best will I use this gift to bring more people to the Kingdom of God?  

Pray to God to give you more opportunities to use that gift for His glory. Then the last step is faith in action; start doing. Once you embark on your purpose, your vision will keep getting bigger. I knew I was good at writing but did not know what to do with the writing gift; when I started developing myself spiritually, I got the conviction that I should start writing Christian devotional articles and posting them on social media.  

I would read the Bible in the morning, meditate on it then write down my thoughts. After writing them down, I realized that it could be more profitable if I shared with them people on social media. After sharing, some people advised me to start a blog and post those articles there. That is how I ended up starting www.gettruthgetlife.com. 

After starting the blog, I thought I had achieved and did not need to do more. People started inviting me to their churches to preach. Others requested me to do a Voice podcast, and others requested me to write a book. When you use your gifts to work on your vision, the vision keeps on getting bigger.  

Each and everything you do by faith opens up a new door. For example, the social media posts opened a door for me to start a blog, and the blog opened up doors for me to speak at various places, and when I speak at those places, more doors open, which keeps on opening more and more doors. 

Luke 12:48 (KJV) – “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” 

God expects faithful use of that one gift if you have been given only one gift. If you have been given more than one gift, God expects faithful use of all the gifts He has given you. God might have given you a gift in speaking, writing, singing, poetry, and art. He expects you to use them all for His glory.  

There is a reason God has given you all the gifts He has given you. He has not given you all those gifts coincidentally or accidentally. He has given them to you to use them for His glory, which in turn will benefit you. The first servant who was given five talents used all his five talents to gain ten talents. He did not just use one of his talents. He used all his talents. 

“The talents that Christ entrusts to His church represent especially the gifts and blessings imparted by the Holy Spirit. “To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. All men do not receive the same gifts, but to every servant of the Master some gift of the Spirit is promised.” – Christ Object Lessons, Page 327.1, Ellen G. White. 

Many world gurus will tell you to concentrate on one thing and leave the rest. Those gurus are not the ones who have given you all those gifts. It is God who has made you multi-talented, and He has made you like that for a reason. If you have a problem in balancing, ask God to guide you on how to balance.  

Some people have excelled in sports and academics simultaneously. Most of those people live well-balanced lives. Robert Kelly was the first and probably the only popular musician to play professional basketball. Not only is he a singer, but he is also a multi-instrumentalist and can play around seven instruments. 

“The barren tree receives the rain and the sunshine and the gardener’s care. It draws nourishment from the soil. But its unproductive boughs only darken the ground, so that fruit-bearing plants cannot flourish in its shadow. So God’s gifts, lavished on you, convey no blessing to the world. You are robbing others of privileges that, but for you, might be theirs.” – Christ Object Lessons, Page 217.1, Ellen G. White. 

Do not be like the barren tree. When God gives you many gifts, use them all. David in the Bible was a king, a musician, a poet, and an author. Before he became king, he was a shepherd. Luke was a doctor, a historian and an author of the book of Luke and Acts.  

Paul, who wrote almost half of the books of the New Testament, was a tent maker. Samuel was a prophet, priest and judge. God has not called all of us to be pastors. However, He has called us to serve Him in our various fields. Some people tell me to study for a degree in theology probably because they may have noticed my passion for Bible study.  

I believe you don’t have to have a theology degree to understand the Bible. If you have passion and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance when you are studying, He will guide you unto all truth (John 16:13). Secondly, being a pastor or prophet does not mean you cannot do other things.  

Not everyone who wrote the Bible was a prophet or priest. People with various occupations wrote the Bible. As long as you do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), using the gifts God has given you, you are on the right track. There is no problem if a pastor opens up a legal business that is abiding with all the commandments of God. 

Revelation 5:10 (KJV) – “And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” 

Christ has made us priests and kings, not priests only or kings only. He has made us both priests and kings. Samuel was a prophet, priest and judge. In those days, no kings existed in Israel, so judges would take the place of kings. Therefore, concluding that he was a prophet, priest, judge and king is okay.  

So, we should not judge pastors when they open up businesses because God might have given them the business idea. If a pastor has a singing talent, and we tell him that all he has to do is to be a pastor, the question is, what should he do with his singing talent if all he should do is preach? He can preach and sing gospel songs too. The problem comes when he concentrates more on worldly things than the gospel, and that does not apply to pastors only. It applies to us all. 

“The promise of the Spirit is not appreciated as it should be. Its fulfillment is not realized as it might be. It is the absence of the Spirit that makes the gospel ministry so powerless. Learning, talents, eloquence, every natural or acquired endowment, may be possessed; but without the presence of the Spirit of God, no heart will be touched, no sinner be won to Christ. On the other hand, if they are connected with Christ, if the gifts of the Spirit are theirs, the poorest and most ignorant of His disciples will have a power that will tell upon hearts. God makes them the channel for the outworking of the highest influence in the universe.” – Christ Object Lessons, Page 328.1, Ellen G. White. 

The use of the gifts needs to be directed by the Holy Spirit because the Holy Ghost gives them to us. Not for a single moment should we act with pride when using our gifts. Humility should prevail right from the motives to the actions. We should never deviate from the purpose of glorifying God. When we have fallen slightly off the track, we should quickly ask God for forgiveness.  

We must yield to the Holy Spirit’s influence in everything we do. When preaching a sermon, our minds need to stay focused on Christ. Not a single moment should we think of our glory. We should not let our heads inflate when someone compliments us for something righteous, we have done.  

We are to direct all attention to Christ and, as much as possible, refrain from drawing attention to ourselves. When we lift Christ, we shall have a heavenly influence, and Christ will reward us by lifting us. However, we should not focus on the rewards or awards but on representing Jesus in the best possible way. 

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. We should trust in God and believe He has given us at least one gift, even though we do not know it. By faith, we should ask God to show us what our gift is and how to use it for His glory. 

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit 

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) – “²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” 

The original Greek text of Galatians 5:22, is “the fruit of the Spirit” (singular), not “fruits.” The Greek word used here is “καρπός” (karpos), which is singular and typically translated as “fruit.” 

This singular term suggests that the qualities listed—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are aspects of one unified “fruit” produced by the Spirit within believers, rather than separate “fruits.” This implies a holistic, unified result of the Spirit’s work in a person’s life, where all these attributes collectively grow and complement each other rather than exist as independent traits. 

By describing it as a single “fruit,” Paul emphasizes that the Spirit’s work is cohesive and that these qualities are interconnected, arising from the same source and intended to be developed together. 

“Your compassionate Redeemer is watching you in love and sympathy, ready to hear your prayers and render you the assistance which you need in your lifework. Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, faith, and charity are the elements of the Christian character………………………….. They are the Christian’s crown and shield.” – Child Guidance, Page 173.1, Ellen G. White. 

The Character of a genuine Christian is seen when he has the fruit of the spirit. These nine qualities in the fruit of the Spirit show the Holy Spirit’s work in a person. If a man or woman surrenders himself or herself totally to Christ, the Holy Spirit begins working in that person. If they yield to the direction and instruction of the Holy Spirit, they gradually yet surely begin developing these attributes such as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, faith, meekness and temperance. 

A Christian is incomplete if they lack the fruit of the spirit. If you are intemperate, ask God to give you temperance, for it is His will that you exercise self-control in all things. If you are impatient, ask God to instill in your heart patience.  

Many shy off from asking God to give them patience because they think that if they ask God to give them patience, God will give them a plethora of situations that require them to be patient. Allow God to work in you by whatever means He chooses to. It is better for Him to give you challenging situations that will grow this fruit in you than encountering consequences that result from lacking any of these facets of the Spirit’s fruit. 

For example, many diseases, such as cancer, can result from eating an unhealthy diet. Eating unhealthily usually comes due to a lack of temperance. Many have faced consequences that have come as a result of a lack of humility; one such consequence is stagnation because one needs to be meek and have the heart of a little child for them to grow. Some people have committed suicide due to impatience because they are facing unemployment or other financial challenges. The school of God is not meant to harm you but to refine you. 

“The apostle’s earnest words of entreaty were not fruitless. The Holy Spirit wrought with mighty power, and many whose feet had wandered into strange paths, returned to their former faith in the gospel. Henceforth they were steadfast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made them free………………………………. The name of God was glorified, and many were added to the number of believers throughout that region.” – Acts of the Apostles, Page 388.3, Ellen G. White. 

People will be converted not by the sermons we preach but by the example of our lives. We cannot preach love and hate our neighbor. Christianity would be more widespread and have a greater influence if we practiced what we preach. As we use our gifts to bring more people to Christ, our content of Character needs to gravitate more people to Christ too. How can we preach victory over sin when our lives are the quintessence of captivity in sin? 

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. By faith, let us yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to develop His fruit in us. If we do that, we shall be a great blessing to the world. 

God’s Promises and Blessings 

Genesis 12:1-3 (KJV) –  “¹ Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: ² And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: ³ And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” 

God’s promises and blessings are conditional and unconditional. For example, the death of Jesus on the cross was unconditional. Some of His blessings are conditional, for example, the blessings in Deuteronomy 28:1-13. Deuteronomy 28:1 (KJV) – “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth.” If you fulfil the condition of obeying His commandments, you will access those blessings listed in Deuteronomy 28:1-13. 

Hebrews 11:8 (KJV) – “By faith, Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed and he went out.” For Abraham to inherit that place, he had to fulfill the condition of going to where God had sent him. God did not tell Abraham where He was going; he just told him to get out of his country, and if he did that, He would bless him and bless those who bless him. 

“Abraham could not explain the leadings of Providence; he had not realized his expectations; but he held fast the promise, “I will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing.” With earnest prayer he considered how to preserve the life of his people and his flocks, but he would not allow circumstances to shake his faith in God’s Word. To escape the famine he went down into Egypt. He did not forsake Canaan, or in his extremity turn back to the Chaldean land from which he came, where there was no scarcity of bread; but he sought a temporary refuge as near as possible to the Land of Promise, intending shortly to return where God had placed him.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 129, Ellen G. White. 

When God tells you to do something, He promises that He will bless you. He rarely gives you complete information about how He intends to bless you once you fulfil that requirement because He wants you to move by faith. If He tells you of the blessings, He intends to give you; you will not obey Him by faith. You will obey Him because of the rewards.  

We should be prompt in obeying God’s voice and refrain from questioning Him. Do not be afraid when God sends you on a mission to an unfamiliar land to minister to unfamiliar people. Let not worry and anxiety becloud your mind. Trust in God and believe in His providence and power to make that mission successful. 

“Many are still tested as was Abraham. They do not hear the voice of God speaking directly from the heavens, but He calls them by the teachings of His Word and the events of His providence. They may be required to abandon a career that promises wealth and honor, to leave congenial and profitable associations and separate from kindred, to enter upon what appears to be only a path of self-denial, hardship, and sacrifice. God has a work for them to do; but a life of ease and the influence of friends and kindred would hinder the development of the very traits essential for its accomplishment. He calls them away from human influences and aid, and leads them to feel the need of His help, and to depend upon Him alone, that He may reveal Himself to them. Who is ready at the call of Providence to renounce cherished plans and familiar associations? Who will accept new duties and enter untried fields, doing God’s work with firm and willing heart, for Christ’s sake counting his losses gain? He who will do this has the faith of Abraham, and will share with him that “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” with which “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared.” 2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 127, Ellen G. White. 

Many wait to hear a loud voice from Heaven to be assured that God is speaking. Some are waiting for God to speak to them through visions and dreams. God does that sometimes, but not always. He has given us the Bible, complete with the Old and New Testaments. He has made it widely available and quite affordable. If you cannot afford a physical copy, you can access the online ones.  

God has sent missionaries to give people Bibles and spread the gospel in remote areas without internet and electricity. Despite that, God speaks through people. However, it would be difficult to discern God’s voice if you are unfamiliar with His Word. When someone calls you to do something Godly or to serve in the church, it is the voice of God speaking through that person. Therefore, do not give excuses for why you cannot do certain work you are called to do. Like Nike’s brand slogan, “Just do it.” 

“Faith claims God’s promises, and brings forth fruit in obedience. Presumption also claims the promises, but uses them as Satan did, to excuse transgression. Faith would have led our first parents to trust the love of God and to obey His commands. Presumption led them to transgress His law, believing that His great love would save them from the consequences of their sin. It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven without complying with the conditions on which mercy is to be granted. Genuine faith has its foundation in the promises and provisions of the Scriptures.” – Gospel Workers, Page 260, Ellen G. White. 

God desperately wants to bless you. He wants to bless you more than you want, but He cannot bless you when you don’t allow Him to. He needs you to allow Him to give you whatever He wants. The best way to allow Him is to have faith and to put your faith into action.  

God’s blessings are present in this life and flow all the way to eternity. The blessings He will give you in this life are minimal because you have minimum time to live on this earth. However, the blessings you will acquire in eternity are endless, for you will enjoy them in your endless lifespan as you eat from the Tree of Life. 

“To abide in faith is to put aside feeling and selfish desires, to walk humbly with the Lord, to appropriate His promises, and apply them to all occasions, believing that God will work out His own plans and purposes in your heart and life.” – Fundamentals of Christian Education, Page 341-342, Ellen G. White. 

The carnal mind is always subject to selfish desires. Humans are naturally selfish, always wanting the best for themselves alone. We want to shine more than our neighbours and be ahead of our friends. Unfortunately, selfishness creates scarcity for a person with a selfish heart and motive. Selfishness can make you lose friends and lose important connections. It can close doors that were once opened and block entrances that God had meant for you to walk through freely.  

In Matthew 25:29 (KJV), the Bible says, “For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.” The secret to abundance is generosity, and the path to scarcity is withholding.  

God expects us to be faithful stewards in everything that He has given us. When the first servant showed faithful stewardship in his five talents, the master was pleased with him, for he acted by faith. When the third servant, who was given one talent, failed to show faithful stewardship, the master was angry with him. The master took that one talent he had given him and gave it to the first servant. 

Many ask, “Why do the rich keep getting richer while the poor keep getting poorer?” An answer to this question has often been that the rich are evil and corrupt, always coming up with devices to oppress the poor, making themselves rich. This notion is not always true. People, who are rich in any aspect of life, be it materially or spiritually, are rich because they have enriched others.  

Those who have become wealthy through dubious means are not rich because wealth cannot be created by being a curse to someone else. The person who opens a genuine business can get money and boost his network simultaneously. The one who cons or robs someone may get money but get a bad reputation, thus losing networks. The greed they have in their heart for instant gratification will make them lose future connections which would have been more valuable.  

Corrupt politicians who dwindle the country’s resources risk being robbed or constantly begged because they have failed to create jobs. In the long run, they lose all the money they had stolen. The man who opens up a retail store to sell consumer goods benefits people by selling essential commodities they need daily.  

The person who sells a business-to-business service enriches people by smoothening the other party’s business operations and boosting their profits. If you want abundance in time, always give God your time. If you want abundance in money, use your money to the glory of God. If you want abundance in everything in life, give your whole life to God. Nothing given to God is lost. 

“Abraham continued to journey southward, and again his faith was tested. The heavens withheld their rain, the brooks ceased to flow in the valleys, and the grass withered on the plains. The flocks and herds found no pasture, and starvation threatened the whole encampment. Did not the patriarch now question the leadings of Providence? Did he not look back with longing to the plenty of the Chaldean plains? All were eagerly watching to see what Abraham would do, as trouble after trouble came upon him. So long as his confidence appeared unshaken, they felt that there was hope; they were assured that God was his Friend, and that He was still guiding him.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 129, Ellen G. White. 

Faith should be the key to your confidence and not the physical or material providences. Even if you are broke and you have no money in your pocket, do not think of yourself as poor because, as a child of God, you can never be poor. Carry yourself confidently because you are lying in the arms of the One who owns the universe.  

Do not be afraid of anything in this world because you are abiding under the shadow of the Almighty, the ultimate protection. When God calls you to lead, trust in Him to make your leadership a success and do not worry about the minimal resources that you may have. Acts 17:28 (KJV) – “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.” 

“Faith is trusting in God—believing that He loves us, and knows what is for our best good. Thus, instead of our own way, it leads us to choose His way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of our weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness. Our lives, ourselves, are already His; faith acknowledges His ownership, and accepts its blessing. Truth, uprightness, purity, are pointed out as secrets of life’s success. It is faith that puts us in possession of these. Every good impulse or aspiration is the gift of God; faith receives from God the life that alone can produce true growth and efficiency.” – Gospel Workers, Page 259, Ellen G. White. 

Isaiah 58:13-14 (KJV) – “¹³ If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: ¹⁴ Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” 

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. “Hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)” 2 Corinthians 1:20 (KJV) – “For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 

GOD BLESS YOU! 

Prayer 

Dear God, please help me to fully believe in you. Help me to trust in your mercy and love. Reveal to me the gifts of the Holy Spirit that you have placed in me and instill in me the fruit of the Holy Spirit too. Make me cling tightly to your promises because you always do what you say. In Jesus name, Amen.  

Activity 

Daily Reflection and Prayer Journal 

Goal: Strengthen belief in God, His mercy, and love, while nurturing the fruit of the Spirit, developing spiritual gifts, and holding onto His promises. 

Steps: 

1. Set Aside Quiet Time Daily (15-20 minutes): Begin with a moment of silence, inviting God’s presence. Acknowledge His love, mercy, and guidance in your life. 

2. Gratitude Reflection: Write down three things you’re grateful for, specifically focusing on ways you’ve seen God’s mercy, love, and provision in your life. Reflect on how these experiences reveal His character and how deeply He cares for you. 

3. Focus on a Fruit of the Spirit: Each week, choose one of the nine qualities of the fruit of the Spirit (e.g., love, joy, peace, etc.) to focus on. For example, if focusing on “peace,” pray for situations or areas in your life where you need peace and ask the Holy Spirit to grow this fruit in you. Throughout the day, consciously practice this quality, looking for moments to express it in small actions. 

4. Develop Spiritual Gifts: Identify a specific spiritual gift you feel called to develop (e.g., encouragement, teaching, service). Ask God to reveal opportunities to use and strengthen this gift in the lives of those around you. For example, if you feel called to encourage others, make it a point to lift someone’s spirit each day, whether through a kind message, prayer, or small act of service. 

5. Scripture for Promises: Select a scripture promise each week (e.g., Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”). Write it down and meditate on it, asking God to help you internalize and stand firmly on this promise. When challenges arise, recall this verse and pray it back to God as a reminder of His faithfulness. 

6. Pray and Reflect on God’s Character: Close your time with a prayer that acknowledges God’s mercy, love, and greatness. Thank Him for the work He’s doing in you, ask Him to help you grow in the fruit of the Spirit, and reaffirm your trust in His promises. 

7. End-of-Week Reflection: On the last day of each week, reflect on how practicing the fruit of the Spirit, the chosen spiritual gift, and the promise impacted your faith. Write down any moments where you felt closer to God or saw Him working through you. Thank Him for these experiences. 

Author: Mark Alex   

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