Determined Study - Week 3, Day 4: Luke 8:40-56

In today’s episode, we delve into the difference between merely believing in the existence of God and actively placing our faith and trust in His promises and character. Through an exploration of Luke 8:40-56, we're invited to consider how deep belief in Jesus transforms our relationship with Him from acknowledgment to intimate fellowship.

 

Scripture Reading:

Luke 8:40-56

 

Big Idea:

The key message today is that cultivating a deep and personal relationship with Jesus stems from choosing to believe what He says, not just acknowledging His existence. This belief leads to intimate fellowship and a faith that actively trusts in His word and character.

 

Devotional:

We're presented with two powerful examples of faith in action: Jairus, a synagogue leader who seeks Jesus' help for his dying daughter, and a woman suffering from a chronic illness who believes that touching Jesus' garment will heal her. Both stories highlight the transformative power of believing Jesus to change our circumstances, emphasizing that true faith goes beyond mere belief in His existence—it's about trusting in His ability to act in our lives.

 

Embracing Deep Faith:

• Understanding True Belief: An exploration of what it means to truly believe Jesus, highlighting the distinction between intellectual assent and heartfelt trust.
• The Power of Faith: Insights into how faith not only changes our circumstances but deepens our relationship with Jesus, making us aware of His presence and activity in our lives.
• Intimacy with Jesus: Encouragement to pursue a closer relationship with Jesus by taking His words to heart and living as though they are real and tangible.

 

Questions to Ponder:

1. Reflect on moments when Jesus has healed or intervened in your life. How did those experiences affect your relationship with Him?
2. Do you see a difference between believing in God and believing God? How does this distinction impact your faith?
3. Consider times you've struggled with unanswered prayers. How can revisiting those conversations with Jesus today encourage you in your faith journey?

 

Wrap-Up:

Today's discussion challenges us to deepen our faith by not only believing in Jesus but also believing what He says. This shift from acknowledgment to active trust fosters a closer and more personal relationship with Him, transforming our lives in the process.

 

Join us tomorrow for Week 3, Day 5, of Determined: Living Like Jesus in Every Moment, as we continue to explore the life-changing implications of a faith that truly believes Jesus and takes His promises to heart.

 

Final Bits:

• Purchase the workbook here (affiliate link) for our Spring Bible study of Determined: Living Like Jesus in Every Moment, a six-week study of Luke by Heather M. Dixon. Sign up here to receive content and reminders by email. 
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Thank you for joining us for this episode of the No Dusty Bibles Podcast. Remember, every page turned in the Bible is a step closer to understanding the heart of God. We're here to journey with you, one chapter at a time.

Portions of today’s episode are adapted from Determined: Living Like Jesus in Every Moment, by Heather M. Dixon, © 2019 by Abingdon Press, all rights reserved. 

In our daily readings, we are grateful to utilize the World English Bible (WEB) translation, a resource committed to making the words of Scripture accessible to all. The WEB is in the public domain, allowing it to be freely used and shared. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the contributors and supporters of the World English Bible for their dedication to making this valuable translation available to the public. Their work enables us to explore and share the Bible's teachings with everyone, furthering our mission to make the Bible accessible and available for every woman.