“Just have faith,” she said. “It will all work out.”

You’ve probably heard those words many times. But what are they based on? Positive thinking?

What is faith anyway? Can you describe it? I know I had a hard time defining this basic word. So, I decided to go on the hunt for official definitions. Come with me today and see what I found.

KEY PASSAGE:

Hebrews 11:1, 6-11 (ESV)

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised."

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Sometimes life stinks. People we trust let us down. It hurts when we’re the one left in pieces.

Thankfully, God is faithful. We can always count on him. Even in the toughest of times and the sharpest of wounds, God remains faithful. Oh, how comforting that is. No matter who comes against you, deceives you or tries to destroy you, you can rest in God’s faithful character.

Are you looking for God’s faithfulness in this season when someone has let you down? His faithfulness is here. In fact, it was never gone. The faithful, loving God is here for you.

We'll reflect on that today.

KEY PASSAGE:

Psalm 89:5-8 (NIV)

"The heavens praise your wonders, Lord,

your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.

For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?

Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?

In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;

he is more awesome than all who surround him.

Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?

You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you."

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Just showing up can make a person’s day. This doesn’t work for everyone, but it works for many.

People need people. Whether they have a serious disease or they’re lonely and discouraged, stopping by can change your friend’s life. Occasional visitors helped carry my wife through her tough season. We all want to know someone cares.

One of my favorite Bible verses is this: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV).

Let's explore this today.

KEY PASSAGE:

Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Join me for the Apostle Paul’s harrowing near-death experience on the seas as told in Acts 27 and 28. Paul begins by saying to the soldiers, “’Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.’” (Acts 27:10 NIV)

A few verses later we learn, “Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.” (Acts 27:14-15 NIV)

It only got worse, as Luke describes in vivid detail.

You might be living through a storm right now. Today's audio devotional will give you the assurance that God is in control. Paul knew it from experience, and so can you.

KEY PASSAGE:

Romans 8:28-30 (NIV)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who i have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

How can you have the courage of the apostles? Not only to represent Jesus, but to simply keep going when life has a strangle-hold on you? When discouragement hits? When resistance and hardship press in from all sides?

Every believer has seasons of strength and weakness, joy and heartache, ease and difficulty. None of us lives each day on the pinnacle of spiritual bliss. Today, we'll learn from Paul, a man who needed incredible courage to keep going. And he shares his secret.

KEY PASSAGE:

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Cor 4:16-18)

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Have you ever prayed for something for several years without seeing results? You faithfully trust God with the person you hope comes to Christ. Or the child that has strayed away from God. Endless financial hardship. Healing. Injustice. Job issues.

Unanswered prayer can wear us out. That’s why prayer takes courage. Courage produces persistence. Let's dig into that together today.

KEY PASSAGE:

“Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’

“And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11:5-10 NIV).

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Samson was once a strong, powerful man, but he was reduced to a helpless weakling when his enemies cut his hair, blinded him and threw him into prison. However, he showed remarkable courage on the day he sacrificed his life for his nation. Although he was blind, he had clear vision. Let's explore that today as we start the week with our new theme: Courage.

KEY PASSAGE:

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7-9 NIV).

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Is your heart heavy, not believing that God could forgive a certain sin in your life? It might be something from long ago that keeps chewing on your soul. Or it might be something you did just yesterday that’s crushing you. Or a sin you repeat over and over, with no hope of escape. Whatever it is, even though you read the promise of forgiveness from 1 John 1:9, your heart doesn’t believe that promise.

Let's make God's forgiveness real in your life today.

KEY PASSAGE:

1 John 1:8-10

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com