Acting on Belief

Full Definition of BELIEF noun 1: a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing Full Definition of BELIEVE intransitive verb a : to have a firm religious faith b : to accept something as true, genuine, or real genuine

John 1:12 (NLT) 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Beliefs - Actions Do your beliefs affect your values and ultimately your actions? If you act from faith, you will eventually see the fruit. You will live what you believe – then you will experience the results

Galatians 6:7-9 (NIV) 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

God does not lie You will eventually reap what you sow: good or bad Persevere

Joseph Genesis 41:41-43 (NIV) 41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second- in-command, and men shouted before him, "Make way!" Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

Joseph He didn’t see this fruit the first day that he chose to believe. He didn’t when he told his family the dream God had given him and was rejected by them He didn’t see it when his brothers opted to sell him into slavery – instead of murdering him He didn’t see it when he was falsely accused of rape

Genesis 39:6-10 (NIV) 6 So he left in Joseph's care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!" 8 But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

Don’t be like the demons: James 2:19 (NIV) 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. They know that God exists – they used to live in His presence. Now they can only expect destruction

Instead, we have been invited into a life of ever-increasing faith James 2:14-18 (NIV) 14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

“I Believe”Do You? Forgiving someone / Not seeking revenge Tithing Spiritual warfare Praying with/ for someone / Laying hands on the sick Adjusting your schedule Moving or staying Changing or staying in a job Choosing your close friends (Psalm 1:1-2) Choosing a mate Standing firm in adversity Marriage Parenting Integrity / doing the right thing Personal growth / change Rom 8:28-29; 12:2

What now? Don’t go out and try to just be a better person Do submit to God in every arena and ask Him to reveal His truth to and change you Philippians 2:13 (NLT) 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Read or listen to the Bible Pray Hang out with others doing the same Hosea 10:12 (NIV) 12 Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.