Building an unshakeable faith
In nature, October typically launches a significant change in weather conditions. Shorter days, cooler weather, and the changing colours of leaves all signal that we are transitioning from one major season to another. And before you know it, you will be preparing for Christmas – by filling an Operation Christmas Child shoebox (how is that for a reminder)!We have been in a season of constant trials and difficulties and no one knows exactly what is coming next. Is your faith prepared to withstand whatever comes our way? Everything from normal stresses of daily life to the compounded current challenges want to shake our faith. We must develop an unshakeable faith that will keep us standing through all the storms of life and persecution for our faith.
The Apostle Peter’s life is an interesting study in how unshakeable faith develops. Peter who is called to be a disciple of Christ, denies knowing Jesus at his crucifixion, but is then restored by Jesus after His resurrection, and filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. This is a man who faith was transformed from shaky to unshakeable. There are several characteristics God instilled in his faith as Peter walked with Him and that we need to ask God to develop in us:
Become Secure in the God Who Loves and Chooses You – If you are a Christian you are a child of God! Have you ever seriously contemplated the implications of that truth? God choose you for Himself. He picked you out and said, “You are mine!” God loves you with an unfailing love that reaches to the heavens. Truly accepting this truth can sustain you through those times when you feel lonely, rejected, unloved, or betrayed. No matter who else may turn away from you, God never will.
Become Confident in Your All–Powerful, All-Knowing, Sovereign God – God is bigger than any trial or problem life may throw at you. Nothing touches your life that He doesn’t know about. He is able to use whatever trial He allows into your life to strengthen your faith and shape your character. He has the power and authority to remove it or use it, and walk with you through it. Just hang on tightly to Him!
Be Submitted to the One Who Knows the Future and Has a Plan – Why do we argue with and resist the One who knows everything our future holds? Our all-knowing God has a plan for your life and mine. Our pain and trials do not surprise Him. But we still want to try to do things our way and control our own lives. Seems a little silly when we stop and consider who God really is. When we submit every area of our lives to God – even the heartache – He will work His plan in His way.
Prepared to Endure Persecution for the Sake of Christ – About the only thing not tolerated in our tolerant society these days is Christianity. Jesus warned us that persecution would come. It may be difficult, but God promises unique blessings for those who endure it. Suffering persecution because you belong to God will result in a fuller, richer knowledge of Christ. Decide now that you will not deny your Lord!
Scriptures
1 Peter 1:2-8 (NLT)
2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
1 Peter 3:13-17 (NLT)
13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT)
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
Prayer Points
Thank God that you are alive to partake in this month’s fasting program.
1 John 1:9 - Confess any known and unknown sins.
Thank God for making it into the month of November. (praise Him fervently)
Ask God to let His favour, goodness and mercy run after you and your household for the months of November and December.
1 Peter 1:2 Lord, I thank You that You knew and chose me to partake in Your kingdom.
1 Peter 1:3 Father, I thank You that through the Holy Spirit You have deemed me holy and worthy. (praise Him fervently)
1 Peter 1:5 Lord Jesus, I have faith in You to protect me and my household by Your power from all evil. (mention them)
1 Peter 1:7 – God Almighty, release Your enduring covering upon any believer (mention them by name) going through trials and challenges at this time in Jesus’ name. (pray this fervently)
1 Peter 3:15 – Jesus help me to worship and serve You as the Lord of my life.
1 Peter 3:15 Father, reign and rule in our churches of today in Jesus’ name.
Psalm 31:15 – Father I commit my future into Your hands; deliver me from my adversaries. (pray this fervently)
Lord, I commit the future of the saints into Your hands; deliver them from their adversaries and trials they may be facing. (pray this fervently)
1 Peter 4:13 Father, reveal Your glory in the following areas of my life. (mention them)
Jesus, reveal Your glory to the church and the world during this time of uncertainty.
Psalm 32:8 – Father, watch, guide and advise me along the best pathway in this season in Jesus’ name. (pray this fervently)
Lord, watch, guide and advise every household in PPT along the best pathway regarding their situations (mention them) in the name of Jesus.
In Jesus’ name I bind and cast out the fear of the future from my thoughts. (pray this seriously)
Pray for the persecuted church globally.
Declaration
Father, I thank You that You are Elohim (my creator), El-Shaddai (my supplier), Jehovah (my Lord and God). I declare that my faith in Jehovah will release His divine protection for me and my household. As a church, our faith will release God’s protection for us during our trials. The presence of Jehovah is with me. The presence of God is with PPT and the church. I have joy in the midst of my trials and challenges. My conscience is clear. My God will guide me along the best pathway in my life. Jesus will advise and watch over me. I declare that I am secure in the God who loves and chose me. I affirm that I have a priceless inheritance in heaven which my Father has kept for me. I shall be victorious in Jesus’ name. So shall it be.
Upper Room Prayer Gathering at 8:00 pm Friday evening.
Conference Call
Dial: 647-977-2648 (Canada) / 202-602-1295 (USA)
Code: 827-220-552#