Putting Faith in Action
Posted by admin on Feb 27, 2013 in Blog, Featured, Uncategorized | 53 comments
My husband and I were tested a great deal this month. Car repairs and medical bills significantly increased, and our account became dangerously low. During the trial, the Lord brought to my attention many courageous people who were living by faith. Their powerful stories I read online, throughout the Bible, and in various books reminded me and my husband to be faithful to God no matter what we face. As we made the decision to be obedient and turn our anxiety over to the Lord, we were rewarded with an unexpected miracle. A beloved brother and sister in Christ felt led to give us an envelope filled with beautiful words of encouragement and a generous amount of money. Tears fill my eyes every time I think how these individuals were used by God to demonstrate His amazing love, faithfulness, and promise of provision.
When we commit to our journey towards maturity, I learned we put our faith in action by confidently following God’s dream for our lives and trusting He will supply for all our needs. ”Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Hebrews11:1). ”In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17).
Have you made the choice to live by faith and trust God? How are you putting your faith in action?
Thank you for visiting my website. Please subscribe down below to receive future blog posts.
| Powered by
On a day like today when my day job has me swamped and I’m just now sending along embedded show codes to last nights guest, this post is medicine for my soul. We all have times in the wilderness don’t we, kind of like some of the struggles you shared on our program Christian Devotions Speak UP with your health. Mine is exhaustion, but when we serve in mighty ways, it makes it all worth while… God is amazing and He gives us the strength to persevere.
Amen! Christian Devotions Speak Up is a fantastic radio program. You interview numerous people who share how they are putting their faith in action! I pray that the Lord continues to give you the strength to follow His call. I was truly honored to be a guest on your show recently and share what God has taught me through my struggles. You’re right. “When we serve in mighty ways, it make it all worth while.” Praise God!!
I have chosen to live my life by faith and to trust God. I recently made the decision to step forward in faith and co-lead a women’s discipleship group, where we will encourage and walk alongside other women as they learn to be disciples. I am truly not worthy of this responsibility on my own, but am trusting that by stepping out in faith, God will enable me. Praise God!
Yay! I’m so happy you are stepping out in faith and co-leading a discipleship class, Melanie. You have gifts God wants you to use and make a difference in the lives of others. As believers, I think we all feel so unworthy when we lead, serve, and minister to others. I do every day! Thank you so much for sharing on my blog what God has been teaching you.
Danielle – truth is … life is beautiful!
When we do chose to follow and trust the Lord, I know first hand that the fire gets hotter not because we are bad, but because He loves us and through trials he purifies us into that soft gold that can be molded into the vessel He sees fit.
Your post reminded me of so many trials my husband and I go through right now, and of course it’s easy to get discouraged. God is been there every step of the way and I have decided early on in my walk with Him to trust, however fear of the unknown still seems to take a grip of me every now and then
Writing, Speaking and Coaching gives me an opportunity to encourage and educate other people, however sometimes I need a writer, speaker or coach my self. I have noticed that by being under the Lord’s protection can bring such a sense of peace to my heart even when everything seems to crumble under my feet.
Great post! Thank you for encouraging us.
I love what you wrote, Adriana! I admire your desire to continue to put your faith and trust in God no matter what challenges you face. Thank you for reminding me that we can use pain to change us into a mighty woman for God’s kingdom. I look forward to following what God is doing in your writing, speaking, and coaching! “So we are always of good courage…for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:6-7).
Danielle what an exciting testimony of Gods faithfulness to His children!! When we realize that we can completely trust Him, that He hasn’t forgotten us, we can live in the freedom of His peace! Thank you for sharing this…. These type of personal experiences remind each of us to hold on in faith knowing that He who has promised is faithful!!
Thank you, Elisa! Yes, God is faithful! I’m so happy you took a moment to read what God has placed on my heart. It’s an amazing feeling to know we are not alone on this journey and we are a part of an amazing body of believers who desire to put their faith into action!!
What a wonderful testimony!
When I was looking for my very first job years ago, I totally depended on the Lord for His provision and guidance. I waited and waited, but I fouud no jobs. I didn’t give up, and my fiancee and I kept praying for a job. One week before my student visa expired, He gave me a job with a salary beyond my expectations. Tears flowed from my eyes as my joy was complete just like He promised in John 16:24.
Dicky, my heart is touched by your experience. Isn’t it great that your faith helps build mine? I love that.
I love reading stories like this, Dicky! God is awesome! I admire how you and your fiance put your faith in God as you waited for Him to lead you to a job. You reminded me that when we wait on the Lord and not rush into trying to solve the problem on our own, He will provide for our needs and it will often exceed our expectations!
“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24).
Wow that’s awesome Dicky! God will take care of His own.
I find myself breathing deeply as I read your post. It’s always reassuring to know others are out there choosing to live by faith as well. Just over 3 years ago, the Lord told me to leave a job. What followed was what I refer to as the wonderful/awful year of being unemployed, going through nearly every dollar I’d saved, moving in with my parents (not something you really want to do right before your 50th birthday), and becoming totally dependent on Him. But He was constantly reassuring me and requiring steps of faith. And He did a work in me during that time that remains unparalleled.
Now He is leading me to take more steps in developing a ministry of writing and speaking to women about their significance and value as individuals, in the home, in the church and community. since I started taking steps, I’ve had 3 requests to speak during the next 5 months!
“The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!” Hab. 3:19 AMP.
I am a pilgrim, a sojourner, still learning by faith to let the Father love on me in the journey. Blessings to you, Danielle! So glad we’re all in it together.
Wow! Amen! Thank you for sharing how God is working in your life, Robin. We all need reminders that other people have gone through similar trials. I can relate to what you wrote. I used to teach full-time as a public school teacher. However, I felt God calling me to volunteer to use my time to serve in ministry by speaking, teaching, and writing. I no longer have the health benefits and the income I used to make as a teacher working in the public school district, but I know without a doubt this is what God wants me to do. He has reminded me over and over again that if I follow His plan, He will provide for our needs. May you continue to step out in faith and allow the Lord to guide you as you speak and write! I look forward to following how God is using you for His kingdom!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Your story was very inspiring as Bill and I begin to build our business. Times can often seem rough, but reading you story truly brings me hope.
Thank you for adding your thoughts, Theresa. Stories of faith and hope help us persevere through difficult times! I pray that you continue to put your faith and trust in the Lord as you build your business.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (I Corinthians 16:13).
5 years ago we lost everything in a business investment… I could have gone back to corporate America, but God told us, I have a tougher and yet better road.. He even says He would bless us going back…. But we wanted the best. With no money we headed east as a friend provided an apartment for us, and 2 days later a deposit for $25,000 came in from a business man I had helped in Africa before. He usually gave us a few thousand a year so I thought this was a mistake. I called his assistant and she said God told him specifically that amount. We have had many miracles along the way of seeing 20 nations since then. God is faithful… We give him our little and He gives a lot more towards His plans and purposes for us. No matter how hard the journey, we never lose, so fear cannot grip us… Great job Danielle, love and blessings…
Thank you for sharing your powerful story, Robert. It’s amazing how God places on a person’s heart to give. By faith, you followed God’s path for your life and now you are making a difference in numerous people’s lives through your ministry! May you continue to educate and empower others through your talk show “Converging Zone!”
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Wow Danielle,
Your post is inspiring, especially the verse Hebrews 11:1. We need to have faith that God will take care of us even when we can’t see what he has in store for us. Dicky’s post took my breath away, it’s an amazing example that with faith God can surpass all of our expectations.
Thank you, Meg. I love the line you wrote. “We need to have faith that God will take care of us even when we can’t see what He has in store for us.” I loved this line so much I wanted to write it again! Amen!
What a blessing and i SO identify. i lost the house, marriage and everything i own while going through a very difficult period as my husband pursued porn and eventually, men. I raised and homeschooled a child with 9 diseases and with the lack of state support and having little finances, the Lord is continually showing His power and glory and LOVE for us.
Most people go through a short period of such trials and i wish mine was shortened but finding rest in Him in SPITE of all that continually goes on is key.
PRAISE and thanksgiving is the doorway into the kingdom and His presence. It’s the thing that releases breakthrough in the midst of your trials and we strive to stay there. My sitehttp://www.thehealingsource.org is an outpouring of all that the Lord poured out to us during that time. I also help authors self publish their works at my other sitehttp://www.lionsgatebookdesign.com, a business that the Lord Himself built on amazing circumstances and i’m blessed to use my God-given gifts to serve Him in all i do.
this is not about US. once we grasp the paradigm shift in thinking that we do not truly own our life and what being a true servant is, life here gets a little easier. – in His grace, Lisa Hainline
Lisa, I love how you are boldly sharing your faith with others. Your story reminded us to have an eternal perspective on life when we endure trials. You have been through a great deal of pain. Yet, you are continuing to put your faith and trust in the Lord. Your two sites are wonderful. The Healing Source is where many people can receive encouragement and support as they heal from emotional and physical pain. Then Lionsgate Book Design is a place where we can see how you have used your creative gifts to help numerous Christian authors publish their work. May you continue to put your faith into action and glorify God in all that you do!
My husband Don became a quadriplegic in March 1995. Nothing has been the same since, everything has changed. He recently just was diagnosed with colon cancer that the doctors said he would need chemo for because it was in the lymph nodes. The oncologist was afraid the chemo would do more harm than good so Don decided to not do it. There is a 70% chance of cancer returning. It is a scary thing and looms over you but we are trusting that the Lord will get us through this. Life at times for my husband and I has been pretty overwhelming but I have learned to lean hard on God’s Word with much prayer. I choose to not allow my circumstances to dictate everything but to trust that God has a plan to use me through them. I stand upon His promises and am guided by the Holy
Spirit. Needless to say, some days I stumble and need to be reminded that He is in control. I can honestly say I am learning to “trust my Lord” as time goes by when I come to Him in prayer about trials and He always takes care of my needs. It helps my faith in Him grow knowing He cares about even the smallest details in my life. There have been more opportunities to share about Christ with others because of what we have been through. It gives me joy knowing that someone may come to accept Jesus as their Savior through what God has done in my and my husband’s life. My goal is to finish well and to be faithful. A work in progess!
Joanne, thank you for sharing your beautiful heart with us. I genuinely admire your commitment to trust God that He has a plan to use you through the pain and hardship. I love how you desire to lean on God’s promises as you care for your husband’s health. Many people have been touched by your story and given the chance to hear the gospel. Praise God! May you continue to have an eternal perspective and lean on our faithful God!
Wow, Danielle … what an AWESOME testimony. Thanks so much for such a timely reminder that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” and that it requires our action. May God continue to bless both you and your husband! : )
Lynn, thank you for visiting my site and reading what God has placed on my heart. May you continue to put your faith in action and serve the Lord with your gifts and talents!
I have always wanted to take my graphic design freelancing to the next level, but circumstances and doubt always seemed to be blocking and delaying my path. I would ask God, “You gave me this talent, how come nothing is coming out of it?” Well, I heard it said once that in order to build your faith, God will give you a dream; then he’ll urge you to make a decision; but then he’ll allow a delay, because in the delay he matures you and prepares you for what is to come. So as I see it we are going to have difficulties as we pursue our God-given dream. Not because God doesn’t care about us, but it’s one of the ways he pushes us toward the deeper faith. Think about Moses. When he led the children of Israel out of Egypt and toward the Promised Land, he had one problem after another. First, there was no water. Then there was no food. Then there were a bunch of complainers. Then there were poisonous snakes. Moses was doing what God wanted, yet he had problems.
I think God does this because he is building our faith and character. When we finally reach our limit and exhausted all options, then He begins a mighty work through us: “I know, even though you are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident – it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable, than gold .” (1 Peter 1:6-7 PH)
You brought up a great topic, Josh. Thank you for adding your thoughts. I agree. God uses our trials to mature us and build our faith. Our Creator will plant dreams in our lives and He will exceed our expectations. However, it doesn’t mean fulfilling that dream will be easy. Your comment reminded me of another great verse. “Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8). When we try to sculpt a pot out of a lump of clay, it requires our hands to put some pressure on it first. The pressure allows us to mold and shape the clay and give it new form and greater purpose. This is similar to how God transforms us into a mighty man and woman for His kingdom!
Thank you Danielle and Josh for the humility in sharing your trial and how you made a conscious decision to be obedient and trust God. James 1:2-4 tells us “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” It’s not easy to find “joy” as a trial begins, but when we surrender our will to His, God gives us the peace He promises. In reading all the comments posted by others about their own trials, I couldn’t help but notice a common pattern: trial – obedience – surrender – trust – perseverance and then blessings beyond what was expected. We serve an AWESOME GOD!
I’m so glad you posted a comment, Vicki! Thank you for reminding us that we can find eternal joy and peace in our Savior when we endure trials. I love the pattern you noticed: trial, obedience, surrender, trust, perseverance, and then blessings! Wow! God is awesome!
Praise the Lord!!! Thanks for sharing this story. So often we share our hurts and needs, but less often we share our praises. This is very encouraging to me today!
That’s true, Carrie! It’s often easier to just share our struggles and forget to mention how God worked through the pain. Thank you for taking a moment to read my new blog entry. I look forward to visiting your site and seeing how you are putting your faith in action as you write and speak!
Oh my goodness, Danielle!!! I’m not lying. This is for real! Your blog reminded me of what my husband and I was going through these past few weeks. I’m such a worrier. My husband has been praying with me and encouraging me to stay faithful and not to worry even though our funds were so low. So I left it all in God’s hands. I haven’t told our friends about our situation. If I did, I just said we were on a budget. Then we received deposits into our accounts from family and out of the blue, friends would bring us dinner! Then a refund came in from our utilities on base! It was amazing how God always helps us. I am so grateful. I always pray that I don’t worry anymore and I’m slowly letting it all go. If I find myself worrying about it, then I pray for God to help me snap out of it. I just wanted to share with you. I got excited when I read your blog!!
Oh! I forgot the most important part. We have been being obedient in tithing. However, this past weekend with finances being so low I wanted to hold on to some for emergency purposes. My husband had told me to give our tithe and to trust in the Lord that He will provide us with what we needed, especially for the kids. So we gave our tithe leaving us with just $9 in our account, I prayed to not worry and to be able to trust Him. And that’s when everything happened with our friends and family coming through with money or food even though they had no idea of what our finances were like. It was crazy!! God is so great!!
And just a couple days ago, my husband’s windshield on his truck cracked all the way across and I thought where are we going to get he money to fix that now?? However, I wasn’t worried. I knew things would work out. Then yesterday we got our tax return money and found out we had some money from our move that the government deposited and payday! So the money was just pouring in!!
Tricia!! What an amazing story of God’s faithfulness! Yay!! He showed you over and over again He will provide for your needs. It brings me great joy to read how God is working in your life and what He is teaching you about putting faith in action. I confess to being a worrier, too. As moms, it’s scary when the account is low and we want to make sure our children will have their needs met. I love how your husband encouraged you to trust God and then people in your life poured out their love to you! Praise God! May you continue to be obedient to the Lord, give your worries over to Him, and allow Him to show you He will supply for your needs. Please continue to boldly share with others your testimony, too!!
What a very inspiring post Danielle! God truly use people as instruments to extend his loving arms to His children. He never fails and He gives you more than what you expect for at His own perfect time.
My husband and I struggled in the beginning as we obeyed God when He brought us to another country far from family and with zero friends. His faithfulness led us to an awesome church with wonderful people. He always provides EVERYTHING we need and so much more! During my darkest hour, I just look at my husband and daughter and am reminded by how blessed I am. Yes God is faithful despite of my unfaithfulness and shortcomings. And reading your posts is a great reminder that we serve an awesome God!
Thank you, Phoebe! Amen! I’m so glad you added your fantastic story on how God provided for you and your husband’s needs. It reminds us that God is demonstrating His faithfulness in numerous people’s lives. I love that! You also brought up another great point. The Lord is faithful despite our unfaithfulness. So true! God IS awesome!
My husband and I are waiting for God to show us our next steps. And we wait. As I wait (with moments of anxiety and impatience I must confess) God is showing me all the things that I’ve been depending on instead of resting in Him. It’s been an eye opening process, and I’m not sure he’s finished yet. These stories of God’s faithfulness and perfect provision are of great encouragement to me as I take my hands off various aspects of my life and surrender to Him. Thank you!
Hi Judy, I’m very happy you took the time to check out some of the stories people shared on my blog. They have been encouraging to me, too. Thank you for letting us know you are currently in the process of waiting on God’s direction. This way we can pray for you. I’m going to pray right now. “I pray that Judy and her husband would have faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which you God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time” (Titus 1:2).
Thanks for sharing this story, Danielle. It is awesome to see how God comes through for us in so many different ways at different times, and almost always through His Body. We just got home from candidate orientation and commissioning – we’ve been appointed to serve in the UK with Greater Europe Mission, though it’s likely at least 18 months before we actually go. The financials are a bit staggering, to be honest. We won’t be starting ministry partner development until the fall, but it’s tempting to buckle under the magnitude of the task. Then we remember that God will provide as He leads, in both the little things and the big things. We’re excited to see how the journey unfolds. No doubt, it will be quite a ride, with ups and downs, and His constant, steady hand and love to guide and guard.
Lacey, I admire your desire to be a mighty woman for God’s kingdom. I’m so glad you shared about your trip. Congratulations on being appointed to serve in the UK with Greater Europe Mission. I love how you are aware it won’t be easy at times, but you are trusting God to provide finances as you follow His call.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:16).
I, too, am inspired and touched hearing about the way God is working in lives all around me!! His promises are real, “He will never leave us” and will provide for our daily needs. Lacey, the finances and the responsibilities may appear staggering, but God is faithful. I have witnessed, first hand, how God provided the funds and support needed for my short-term mission trips. When I stepped out in faith, God supplied over and above the financial support that was needed from faithful friends, family, and other believers!!
Amen!! It’s encouraging to read about more people that have experienced God’s promise of provision. I’m learning that sometimes we may need to be patient and wait for God’s perfect timing. Then we can trust that our Creator will move mountains to fulfill His mighty plans through us. “If you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea’, and it will be done” (Matthew 21:21).
Awesome post, Danielle!
God has blessed us in similar ways many times – usually just in time!
God really does supply all of our “needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) He is faithful!
It’s very humbling when you receive a blessing like this and realize that God has spoken to someone’s heart on your behalf.
I have a suggestion for you – if you haven’t done so already, start a journal to write these miraculous blessings in. My wife does this and reading over the ways He’s blessed us in the past really builds your faith when you need another miracle.
Thank you for sharing this!
Danielle, it is refreshing to hear of others testimonies of what God has done in their lives. Bill gave a great idea about starting a journal to write down the miraculous blessings God has done in your life. I have been thinking a lot lately about doing just that. I must put action behind this and start one myself. It will help to remind me of God’s helping hand and also leave a written record for my loved ones to see and read for themselves of God’s amazing power! Thanks for sharing Bill!
Thank you, Bill! I love your suggestion to record the blessings and miracles in a journal. What a wonderful idea! Philippians 4:19 is a great verse that reminds us that God promises to provide for our needs. I ‘m going to visit your blog today and read more about how God is working in your life. Thank you so much for all your encouragement and support in my writing!
Joanne, Bill’s suggestion is a great idea for you! I’ve always enjoyed listening to the many stories of God demonstrating His promise of provision in your life. I agree. You need to write it all down!!
Amen! I’m so glad that you guys had this experience! What an opportunity to grow in your confidence of God’s provision. There are so many invitations the Lord extends for us to walk in this way, however we miss it by trying to fix it ourselves. God desires to show himself to us in this way, it’s not just for the bible stories that we read, it is for us today! This is how we are to live, by faith.
Thanks, Theresa! Very true! When we mistakenly try to fix the problem with our own temporary solutions, we can miss the opportunity to witness a beautiful miracle. God’s plan for our lives is always better than our own plan. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
Danielle, I really enjoyed reading this post on faith! Throughout my life, I’ve seen God work in amazing ways when people have stepped out in faith. Sometimes, it seems as though God puts us in difficult situations so we acknowledge our need for Him and His power. He works in miraculous ways!
Yay! Amen! I agree. Thank you for adding your comment, Diane. God is awesome!
Amen! Faith without action is dead.
Hi Joe, thank you for posting a comment! May we all remember that verse in James 2:17!
I like that you mentioned the Bible verses: ”Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Hebrews11:1). ”In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17)…For the longest time I had hoped to go on a missions trip to visit orphans and widows. I didn’t really have confidence that it would happen or any assurance, that I would get to do this, there was a deficit in my faith. But when I accompanied the little bit of faith that I did have with some action and actually applied to go on a missions trip to visit orphans and widows my faith became alive. As I was accepted for the trip and started raising support I had more confidence in what I was hoping for and assurance that it would happen, although I believed that at any moment the Lord could change things if He didn’t want me to go on this missions trip. But indeed, He wanted me to go! The day we visited the hope village in Kubuga, Rwanda was a Sunday. After some time of worship and fellowship we were shown a home of hope. This little house had only four rooms. One was a “kitchen” and one was a “living room.” The other two rooms were bedrooms. One was empty with a teal linoleum tile floor and the other had posters all over the walls. There was also a mosquito net hanging from the ceiling and a twin size mattress on the floor with a simple white sheet for covering. This was the room of a orphan girl who was about my age(20s). I went back into her orphan brother’s room, he was close in age as well, and I said ,”You don’t have a bed.” He replied, “No, we try to share.” As he referenced his sister. We left the village and drove through town later that day and from the bus window I saw mattresses in one of the storefronts. I asked our leader and translator how much they cost. I was told the equivalent of $22 US dollars…I signed up to go Rwanda very last minute and was tempted to use my childhood savings to pay for the entire trip. However I was convicted to let others support me and send me so that they may be blessed in return. I started raising support 9 days before the deadline and more than enough money came in within that short amount of time. Therefore I had the equivalent of $255 to give to cover the cost of mattresses and linens, and even transportation of them to the homes of hope in Kabuga(I’m still waiting for pictures to be sent of the final delivery!)….Over a year ago I started having back problems and one night I was lying in bed crying and praying saying, “Lord, if I’m in this much pain…What about the kids in Africa who don’t even have beds?” And here I was in Rwanda providing mattresses for orphan children who had to share with siblings or sleep on the cold floor. How great is the love of Our Father that He would use my pain and others provisions to send me to provide mattresses for the least of these?…I am excited to see what other hopeful desires the Lord puts on my heart to trust Him with. As I have learned that there is joy and peace in trusting Him, putting faith into action. (Romans 15:13).
Wow!! Justine, thank you so much for sharing your powerful story. I love how you listened to the Lord and were obedient to His voice. As you made the choice to put faith in action, God made it financially possible for you to go on the missions trip. I admire how you desired to trust God to help you meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the children in Africa. What a powerful testimony! Thank you for inspiring us to put faith in action. I look forward to learning what other desires God puts on your heart!