365 Days of Faith

By BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC

Faith is actively choosing to believe in something or someone. Living by faith is not circumstantial, and it is not produced by accident. In a world where people live their own truths, it can be hard to discern what living out your faith in God really looks like. Although some may tolerate your faith, many believe there is not one right way, but no one can argue with your personal experience of knowing Christ and having a certain peace that comes from believing the promise of your future with him.


This daily devotional encourages you to build your faith through pondering inspiring messages, reading God's Word, and spending time in his presence. As you do, you will notice other virtues being added to your faith. With belief comes goodness, knowledge, and self-control, and that produces the kind of fruit that is a testimony of your faith in Christ. When you suffer hardship, you know where to turn. Jesus' faithfulness is a cornerstone for your own faith. You can trust him because he has proven himself trustworthy, and faith that withstands the fire of adversity brings blessings beyond all imagining.


Be filled with hope, courage, and confidence as you step out in faith each day.


 

• Language: English
• Publisher: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Release date: Jun 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781424564989

BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC

BroadStreet Publishing inspires the world around you. We are passionate about creating meaningful, inspirational products that share God's truth with beauty, quality and creativity.

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Introduction

Faith is actively choosing to believe in something or someone. Living by faith is not circumstantial, and it is not produced by accident. In a world where people live their own truths, it can be hard to discern what living out your faith in God really looks like. Although some may tolerate your faith, many believe there is not one right way, but no one can argue with your personal experience of knowing Christ and having a certain peace that comes from believing the promise of your future with him.

This daily devotional encourages you to build your faith through pondering inspiring messages, reading God’s Word, and spending time in his presence. As you do, you will notice other virtues being added to your faith. With belief comes goodness, knowledge, and self-control, and that produces the kind of fruit that is a testimony of your faith in Christ. When you suffer hardship, you know where to turn. Jesus’ faithfulness is a cornerstone for your own faith. You can trust him because he has proven himself trustworthy, and faith that withstands the fire of adversity brings blessings beyond all imagining.

Be filled with hope, courage, and confidence as you step out in faith each day.

January

"Whatever you ask in prayer,

you will receive, if you have faith."

MATTHEW 21:22 ESV

JANUARY 1

Proclaiming Faith

May he give you the power to accomplish

all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

2 THESSALONIANS 1:11 NLT

Have you ever been afraid of what others will think of you when they learn that you are a Christian? Do you ever worry that people may assume you are some sort of weirdo if you proclaim your faith? It can be hard enough to fit in without giving society another reason to shun you.

Be assured, there is no reason to be afraid! God has given us his Holy Spirit to guide us through tough conversations. Be bashful no more; he has equipped you with all the talent you need to share his love with those around you. There will be some who will laugh, and there will be some who will scorn you for your beliefs. God himself tells us through his Word that we have nothing to fear.

Shake off your timidity! Picture yourself shedding it like a winter coat in the warmth of spring. Be prepared to share your faith without fear. God has sent his Holy Spirit to give you power when you lack it. Take advantage of it!

JANUARY 2

Mindful Discipline

Prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves;

set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will

bring you when he is revealed.

1 PETER 1:13 NRSV

Living by faith is not circumstantial, and it is not produced by accident. Faith is an active choosing to believe in something or someone. In the world of spirituality, discipline can get a bad rap. However, when we look into the practice of spiritual disciplines, they benefit our faith by training us to align to God’s kingdom ways.

Have you been floating along in your faith, or have you been able to regulate your mind and actions in partnership with the Spirit? There is no condemnation or judgment for where you are today. Take hope in the grace that God freely gives to empower you to live liberated in his law of love.

If you don’t know where to begin, start by directing your heart toward him through his Word and through prayer.

Ask God to fill you with grace that gives you the strength to live aligned with his life and light. Expand the boundaries of your heart as you actively restrict where your attentions go.

JANUARY 3

Faith Explanation

I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.

It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who

believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

ROMANS 1:16 NIT

It can feel strange to be a Christian in this day and age; people are living their own truths. Although they may tolerate your faith, many believe there is not one right way, or they don’t even care to know if there is a right thing to believe. Instead of fighting this philosophy and mentality, make some effort to explain your faith in a way that is meaningful in today’s context.

No one can argue with your personal experience of knowing Christ and having a certain peace with knowing the promise for your future. If you get a chance this week to mention your faith, be brave and not ashamed of the gospel that has freed you and can free others.

Look for opportunities where you can share your personal experience of knowing Christ with someone. Think of all that you have been blessed with and start giving God the glory for those things.

JANUARY 4

Unstained

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God

and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their

distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

JAMES 1:27 NASB

Simply calling ourselves Christians, attending church, and participating in religious activities does not make us followers of Jesus. Following Jesus and living as he lived is what defines true faith. When we begin to act the way God tells us to, we will look different from those around us.

We are part of this world, but we are of a different kingdom. Our pursuits are considered as having little importance to the world. Rather than pursue riches, we seek to help the distressed. Instead of taking care of ourselves, we take care of others.

Ask God to lead you to those who are in need of help. Keep your eyes open to the oppressed and destitute. Reorient your values and live by the laws of God’s kingdom rather than appeasing the world’s insatiable wants.

JANUARY 5

Influencers

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt

first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice

and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

2 TIMOTHY 1:5 ESV

Who are Lois and Eunice? From this verse, we can gather that they are the grandmother and mother of Timothy. If this verse had been omitted from the Bible, however, you would never know. They don’t have a book of the Bible named after them. They probably didn’t go on any missionary journeys. But this sentence about them speaks volumes. They had faith, and they taught this faith to their children. They discipled Timothy in the faith of Christ, and he went on to preach the gospel and fulfill his calling. Without Lois and Eunice, would there be a Timothy? Would Paul have written two letters to encourage him?

You cannot fathom the great things God wants to do with what you think is your small circle of influence. Be faithful in the small, and God will bless it. You are called to share the gospel and live out your faith, whether you disciple one person or millions. Maybe you only ever see your kids, grandkids, nieces, or nephews. It matters. Your influence matters.

Ask God to remind you of the impact of your spiritual influence. Whose life can you speak into today?

JANUARY 6

Add to Faith

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to

goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control;

and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance,

godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to

mutual affection, love.

2 PETER 1:5-7 NIV

If you see this list of virtues as a checklist, then you are looking at it the wrong way. You know that God isn’t about a list of right things to do. Instead look simply at where it all starts: with faith.

When you build your faith through reading God’s Word and spending time in his presence, you will notice the other virtues begin to be added to your faith. With belief comes goodness, knowledge, and self-control. Where is your faith right now? Remind yourself of your salvation through belief in Christ, and let the rest work itself out from there.

Your belief in Jesus is what saves you, not all the good or right things that you do. Ask God to build those other characteristics as your faith increases. Ask for me knowledge, self-control, godliness, and love.

JANUARY 7

Priceless Faith

These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure.

This purity of faith is worth more than gold, which can

be proved to be pure by fire but will ruin. But the purity

of your faith will bring you praise and glory and honor

when Jesus Christ is shown to you.

1 PETER 1:7 NCV

In difficult times, it’s tempting to sink into questioning. We want to know why. Most of the answers are not ours to know on this side of heaven, but Scripture can provide powerful encouragement while we wait. Gold is so precious it was once a universal standard for measuring wealth, yet, according to this verse, faith that remains strong through adversity is even more valuable. Such faith is priceless.

Regardless of the struggles we face, when we keep hold of our faith, we gain a glorious reward: the praise, honor and glory of Christ the King. Faith that withstands the fire of adversity brings blessings beyond all imagining.

Invite God to use your pain, both now and in the future, to test and prove your faith. Understand that a struggle that deepens your trust in him is a struggle worth enduring, and sorrow that increases your comprehension of his goodness is sorrow you can face.

JANUARY 8

Faith Before Sight

Though you have not seen him, you love him.

Though you do not now see him, you believe in him

and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled

with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith,

the salvation of your souls.

1 PETER 1:8-9 ESV

The longer we walk with the Lord, the more we appreciate and enjoy his salvation and his unending companionship. Jesus’ faithfulness is a cornerstone for our own faith in him. We know we can trust him because he has proven himself trustworthy.

One day, you will reach a point where you need to know God is real in your own situation. You won’t be able to look at him physically. You won’t be able to call and hear his audible voice, perhaps. But you will know, from past experience, that he knows you intimately and is there for you. There is not a thing you face, not a thought that crosses your mind, that God hasn’t dealt with yet. He is there for you. You can trust him.

The unseen is more tangible, eternally, than the visible. Place your faith in Jesus to become eternally tangible.

JANUARY 9

Hearing God

So faith comes from hearing,

and hearing through the word of Christ.

ROMANS 10:17 ESV

The best way to know if something is true or right is to hear it for yourself—straight from the source. You believe you nailed the interview, but you don’t believe you got the job until you get the phone call. You think you might have aced the test, but you wait for the results before telling anyone. The same is true for bad news—ideally. You get wind of a rumor about a friend’s indiscretion, but you wait for their side of the story before believing a word.

So what about God? How can we hear from him? How do we discern his will for our lives? We may not have a hotline, but we do have his book. God speaks to us through his Word, so if you are waiting for confirmation, direction, validation, or conviction, pick it up. Read it. And listen.

God can speak to you through his Word. Are your conversations as frequent and meaningful as you’d like? Share your heart with him right now and listen for his reply.

JANUARY 10

Looking for Laborers

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask

the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers

into his harvest field."

LUKE 10:2 NIV

Roy could tell that this year was going to yield the best harvest he’d ever had. The peach tree limbs were drooping from the weight of the fruit. There was a bumper crop of beans, corn, and squash, and there would be hundreds of bushels of tomatoes to send to the market. You’d think he would be excited, and he was, but his biggest emotion was worry. The Farmer’s Almanac predicted major storms for the next few weeks, the kind that would bring heavy winds and hail that would ruin the crops. He and his family had spent long days in the fields, but they weren’t making a dent with all that needed to be harvested. He was looking for laborers, but couldn’t get the responses he needed.

God is also looking for good workers. There are people all over the world who are waiting for someone to bring them the gospel—a harvest of souls for God—but so few people answer the call. There are people all around us who need to hear about God’s love. Will you be one of his laborers today?

There is a plentiful harvest of souls around you. You can be one of God’s laborers by sharing the good news with someone today.

JANUARY 11

Acknowledge

"Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also

acknowledge them before my Father in heaven."

MATTHEW 10:32 NIV

Have you ever been at a party where the host is making introductions and when it comes to you, your name slips their mind? It is embarrassing. No one likes to be forgotten. It does not have to cause an offense, yet you worry that possibly you were an afterthought, or that the host was pressured to include you.

Someday, we will all stand before the Father, and he will open the book of life. The ultimate lack of acknowledgment would be if Jesus turned to the Father and said, This one is not mine. Depart from me; I never knew you. At that point, it will be too late. You won’t have the option to explain your decision to neglect accepting the Savior during your earthly life. You won’t be able to excuse not speaking his glorious name to win others to him. The die will be cast.

Today you have time. You have a choice. Align yourself with the name and life of Jesus, and he will do the same for you. Share your faith in Jesus with someone today.

JANUARY 12

Keep the Faith

Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord.

Remember the great reward it brings you!

HEBREWS 10:35 NIT

Have you ever waivered in your faith? Was there a time when you felt that living for God was just too hard? Perhaps he seemed distant and unhearing. Many Christians across the ages have felt just like that. Even giants in Christian history have had their doubts. C.S. Lewis concluded there was no God in his early adulthood, finally coming back full circle to not just believing but spending the rest of his life writing and lecturing about Jesus. Millions have read his books.

God loves you. He understands what you are going through. He knows you have doubts. He wants to remind you that this time is fleeting. Put your trust in him and get through this hard situation. God is always there listening to you. There is great treasure awaiting you. Be brave, be fearless, have courage, and continue to trust the Lord who guards your heart.

Even though it may seem God is far away at times, he never is. Listen for his voice today and renew your devotion to him. When you are low, ask for encouragement and believe he will send it.

JANUARY 13

Seek Him Out

Seek more of his strength! Seek more of him!

Let’s always be seeking the light of his face.

PSALM 105:4 TPT

If only we could carry the feeling we get from a great church service, Bible study, concert, or conference everywhere we go. When we are filled with the Spirit, God’s strength is our strength. When we are inspired by praise, we see the world through the Lord’s eyes. When open to his amazing power, our wounds can be healed. How pleasant it would be to continuously seek more of him and bask in his light.

Life tends to make continual basking impossible, though. We have bills to pay, tests to study for, and things to clean. We are worn down by stress. These all distract us from seeking God. Having wandered from that wonderful place, the place we felt him closer than our own skin, we are reminded of how much we crave it—how much we need it. We’re reminded to seek, to search, to pursue his presence. When we can’t feel his light, we need only turn toward his face. Arms open, he’s right where we left him.

If you’ve wandered away from your closeness with God, come back. Find him in the obvious places where love, light, and life are present.

JANUARY 14

No Holding Back

Go ahead—let everyone know it!

Tell the world how he broke through

and delivered you from the power of darkness

and has gathered us together from all over the world.

He has set us free to be his very own!

PSALM 107:2 TPT

How many people know the story of how you first fell in love with Jesus? How many are aware of the intimacy you share with him: the nudges, the whispers, and the dreams? Let nothing hold you back. Imagine your life without him and realize the importance of sharing the amazing truth of how you came to live with him.

Maybe because your story is so familiar to you, you’ve never thought of it as important enough to share, or as something everyone needs to know. But everyone does need to know God. They need to hear your experience of discovering his perfect love and saving truth. It might help someone else meet him, and that should fill you with a new sense of urgency to make sure they hear all about him.

Write down your faith story. Whether a paragraph or several volumes, write it out and be prepared to share it with others.

JANUARY 15

Confident in Christ

I am confident of this very thing,

that He who began a good work in you

will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

PHILIPPIANS 1:6 NASB

When disappointment meets you, what is your response? Are you prone to wallowing in self-pity? If this is your goto, know that there is grace for you in every single moment. Grace to empower you in the power of God’s Spirit. Grace that is abundant and able to transform you and give you strength in your weakness.

Instead of relying on your own ability to grow, you get to lean on the confidence of Christ, who is in you, to perfect you in every single way. There is no need to strive for his love and acceptance. You already have it! Stand strong on the Word of the Lord that set you free from the chains of sin and shame. Perfectionism is not the goal; dependence on God is!

Lean on the confidence of Christ over your own abilities today.

JANUARY 16

Confident Faith

Faith is confidence in what we hope for

and assurance about what we do not see.

HEBREWS 11:1 NIV

The word faith can seem so abstract. It’s a word you paint in calligraphy and hang on signs in your house, yet it feels a little ambiguous. What does this verse mean? To have faith in God is to stand confidently and take as fact that God exists and he is at work even if we can’t see him at work. Our faith doesn’t have to stay the same.

If you struggle with the concept of faith as well, take heart that you can grow in it over time. It is a gift from God: step one