The following is a devotional I shared on UNSHAKABLE FAITH at one of our Women's Journey of Faith meetings.
I searched online and found a few quotes and a definition for unshakable faith.
DEFINITION: un·shak·a·ble - adj. Incapable of being shaken: unshakable faith. Synonyms for "unshakable" are: firm, secure, solid, stable, strong, sturdy, substantial, sure, adamant, abiding, fixed.
Wow, how dependable is unshakable faith! Do you have unshakable faith?
- “To be unshakable, faith must be built on the confidence that God's ultimate purpose will come to pass.”
o “Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. Unshakable faith is faith that has been shaken.”
It is your unshakable FAITH that is your defense against the enemy. The only reason Job could stand up to his "friends", his wife, and the enemy was because his faith in God catapulted him to a new dimension!
Personal Reflection: Do you have “Unshakable Faith?” Can you say this statement:” I have unshakable faith in the perfect outcome of EVERY situation in my life!! Praise GOD!”
Daniel’s Example: Daniel had unshakable faith. His belief in the Lord sustained him when he was uprooted from his home, taken into captivity, and sent to a foreign country. It strengthened him as he served under four different kings and faced many challenges. First, giving all glory and honor to the Almighty Father, because without Him nothing is possible. I have made it this far by faith, and it is paying off. I have been put on a path and there is no stopping me now, my hard work and determination coupled with God and an unshakable faith is taking me to higher places.
o To be unshakable, Faith must be built on the confidence that God's ultimate purpose will come to pass.
o Unshakable faith is faith that has been shaken…let's have an unshakable faith in an unchanging God!
John’s Example: How could a man like John, who was imprisoned on the island of Patmos to die, who wrote the Book of Revelation, how could he continue to have such an unshakable faith to find the strength to affirm the power of God in such debilitating circumstances?
BARRIERS to unshakable faith include
o PRIDE {I won’t admit I need God’s help}
o ARROGANCE {I know a better way – I don’t have to ask God}
o SELF-SUFFICIENCY {I can do it myself without His help}
Personal Reflection: Which of these is keeping you from becoming a person of strong faith? Confess it and turn toward the Lord!!!!
"Our broken lives are not lost or useless. God's love is still working, He comes in and takes the calamity and uses it victoriously, working out His wonderful plan of love." Olympian Eric Liddell quoted in "When I Lay My Isaac Down--Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances" by Carol Kent
Lisa’s thoughts: *This passage of scripture has been on my heart and immediately came to mind thee moment I was asked me over a week ago to share a devotion with you today.
Col. 3:12-17 NLT
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Ephesians 4:2 says to be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for one another’s faults because of your love.
Ephesians 4:31-32 reminds us to “get rid of ALL bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander and ALL malicious behavior. INSTEAD, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
1 Peter 1:2 says God chose you long ago and the Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Christ Jesus and are cleansed by his blood. May you have more and more of God’s special favor and wonderful peace.
13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Ephesians 4:32 & 5:2 also reminds us to live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like a sweet perfume to him.
14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Romans 13:8 also says to “Pay all your debts, except the debt of loving others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill ALL the requirements of God’s law.”
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
John 14:27 Jesus says “I am leaving you a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Ephesians 2:14-17 tells us that “Christ made peace between Jews and Gentiles by making us all one people. He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us…Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death and our hostility towards each other was put to death. He has brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from Him and to the Jews who were near.”
Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that if we don’t worry and pray about everything you will experience God’s peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
1 Cor 10:31 WHATEVER you eat or drink or WHATEVER you do, you MUST do all for the glory of God.
Ephesians 5:20 ALWAYS give thanks for EVERYTHING to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Personal reflection and WJOF application: Paul is calling ALL believers to live for God daily by: imitating Christ’s compassionate, forgiving attitude; letting love guide our life; letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts; always being thankful; keeping God’s Word in us at all times; and living as Jesus’ representative. Paul also says the most important piece of clothing is love – love binds all of these together, it holds it all together in place. And as a representative of Christ, we represent him at all times, wherever we go and whatever we do and say. What impression do people have of Christ when they see us or talk with us? What impression do they have of WJOF (Women's Journey of Faith)? We can work together in spite of our differences and we can stand together in unshakable faith. We can offer our heart to God from time to time throughout the day as we go about our daily duties. A writer once said that our depth of spirituality doesn’t depend on changing what we do but instead on changing our motives/our attitudes—doing things for God rather than doing them for ourselves…keeping God in view, not the tasks we are doing…no matter how menial they are...keep God and His glory in view...the more the task is against your natural inclinations, the greater is your love in offering it to God…even the most difficult tasks can be performed and presented as an offering to God. Are we giving others around us “a little piece of heaven”? Are we giving other women hope for a better tomorrow, encouragement and love and are they sensing God’s presence in our presence? The tabernacle was a physical example of God’s presence on earth so we are God’s representatives of HIS presence and we need to find ways to bring peace and hope of heaven to others here on earth. God is using us in the lives of others and He will show us ways to apply these principles in our lives at work, in our homes and through WJOF. If we’re willing to do little things for others, we will be doing GREAT things for the Lord.
