We have just completed the 30 Days of Faith Campaign.

it was an awesome month of faith and prayer.  There were many answers to prayer and the meetings were outstanding times of reaching out to the Lord.

Below are the devotional messages sent out during the month for you to mediate on.

Day 1

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Today, we begin our 30 days of faith campaign.  I challenge you to step out and not
take a passive position during this time.  Let faith rise in you as you choose to believe
what you cannot see instead of what you can see.

Day 2

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

There are two facets to this scripture: one is having faith for positive change and the miraculous in our lives; the other is having faith in God when things don’t go the way you would like.  A life that pleases God requires faith in good and bad times.

Day 3

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith and not by sight. (NKJV)

The walk of faith is choosing to trust God when what you see seems to be going in the opposite direction.  Make the choice today to believe for God’s best in your life and don’t be swayed by circumstances.  You have nothing to lose and much to gain by trusting God.

Day 4

Romans 4:19-21
Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.  Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. (NIV)

Faith is a choice.  Abraham showed you can face the facts of a situation and still make a choice to believe what God has promised.  As you make the choice to trust God, you will be strengthened in your faith.

Day 5

Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (NIV)

It’s by faith that you are justified and have peace with God; and it’s by faith that you access God’s grace in your life.  Grace is favour and you experience this favour by believing that God not only wants to, but that He will favour you if you put your trust in Him.  Sometimes we believe in the concept of grace, but we fail to appropriate it to our lives.  Let these verses speak to you personally and you see God’s grace as being there for you in your situation right now.

Day 6

James 5:16b
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (NIV)

The Bible declares that we are the ‘righteousness of God in Christ Jesus,’ and therefore you are a righteous person through your faith in Jesus.  Believe today that your prayers are powerful and effective.  Don’t let how you feel determine the effectiveness of your prayer life; make the choice to believe what God says about you.

Day 7

James 5:16b
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.  Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (NIV)

When you’re sick, call for the elders of the church to pray.  In obedience to the instruction for the anointing of oil—let’s join our faith together with the elders and believe for God to raise the sick from their afflictions.

Day 8

Thessalonians 1:8
For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. (NIV)

I trust the testimony of our lives would be like the Thessalonians, nothing needs to be said because our actions speak for themselves.  As Jesus said, ‘have faith in God.’

Day 9

Romans 1: 16-17
I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.

One of the great truths of the Gospel is it reveals the righteousness that is given to every believer through Christ; and it’s because of this righteousness that we can live by faith.

Day 10

Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (NKJV)

God always makes a way possible first, which He did by justifying anyone who puts their faith in Jesus.  You then have access to His grace (unearned favour) by putting your faith in Him.  Be confident that God did a perfect work in you—He justified you and then made it possible for you to experience His favour.  God’s favour is on you—simply put your trust in Him.

Day 11

2 Corinthians 4:13
And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak. (NKJV)

Choose to believe for God’s best and speak words of faith.

Day 12

Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (NKJV)

You are welcomed by God to come to Him with confidence and to receive His mercy and grace when you need it.  Don’t hesitate because of feelings of unworthiness, they are only feelings, they don’t represent how God sees you.  Come boldly and and in faith.

Day 13

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (NKJV)

Jesus’ words are emphatic: ‘it will be given; you will find; it will be opened.’  Take these words to heart and don’t give in when doubt rises to take your confidence in God.

Day 14

Matthew 8:13
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. (NKJV)

You have to believe for something to happen.  Make the choice to believe that God will answer your prayer.

Day 15

Matthew 8:14-17
Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.  So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.  When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” (NKJV)

Be encouraged to pray for the sick and take authority over demonic powers.  Jesus demonstrated his authority on earth and then went to the Cross so that this authority could be exercised by the church.

Day 16

John 14:12
‘Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.’ (NKJV)

I thought Pr Rob gave a fantastic understanding of this verse on Sunday.  Jesus emptied himself of his divine attributes while on earth.  His ministry was Spirit led as our lives are to be Spirit led; he returned to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit to empower us to do great works in his name.

Day 17

Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJV)

In the time this scripture was written, most people heard the word of God because they could not read it for themselves.  The point being, that faith comes from the Word of God, whether by hearing or reading it.  Let God’s Word be present in your life and meditate on the areas in the Bible that address your situation.   This will cause faith to rise in your heart and your confidence will grow in God.

Day 18

Jonah 2:8
Those who cling to worthless idols, forfeit the grace that could be theirs. (NIV)

Cling to the truth that God’s grace is there for you.  When we attach ourselves to things, concepts and people who don’t recognise God, we chase after worthless idols.

Day 19

Psalm 27:13-14
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!

It’s in the toughest times that the best option is to turn to the Lord; make the choice to believe that you will see God’s goodness here and now.  As you wait on God, courage and strength will come to your heart.

Day 20

Devotion from Dr David Jerimiah

Hebrews 4:10
The gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith.

What substance is necessary to turn cement into concrete? It's water, as anyone knows who has used cement for a household project like pouring a sidewalk or firming up a fencepost. Cement is a dry fine-grained compound that's useless without water to moisten it so it can harden. Likewise, it's great to have the Word of God in our hearts, but it must be mixed with faith.

Perhaps you're facing a disappointment today. An expected opening didn't occur. A hoped-for breakthrough didn't come. Instead of good news, you've gotten a discouraging word. This is just the time to exchange your problem for a promise. Go to the Scriptures and study through them until you find a word from God that meets your need. Focus your thoughts on that promise, and determine to trust God to keep it. He turns all things for good to those who love Him, and He makes disappointments "His appointments."

Don't mix your worries with fear, but mix His Word with faith. He wants to give you concrete assurance every day and keep you well set in life.

Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. There was no one there. (Old English Proverb)

Day 21

Psalm 112:1-7

Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.  
His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man deals graciously and lends; he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.
He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

The person ‘who fears the Lord’ is the one who shows respect by being steadfast in their trust that God will do what He’s promised.  This Psalm gives great encouragement that God will bless through to the next generation.

Day 22

Luke 7:50
Then He (Jesus) said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

These words were spoken to a woman with much sin who had come with a repentant heart.  She turned to Jesus in faith, when she could have turned away.  Move toward Jesus when you need help no matter what you feel or the circumstances at the time.

Day 23

James 3:9-10
With it (tongue) we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

Use your words to bless and release faith for good things to happen in people’s lives.  Renounce words you have said that expose weakness and are accusative.  You are a faith being created in Christ Jesus to do good works.  

Day 24

John 15:7-8
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. (NKJV)

We abide (live in) Jesus by allowing God’s word to order our decisions and lifestyle.  It is God’s will that you produce much fruit in your lives; whether it’s in your business, career and work, or family and personal life, or ministry—God‘s heart is to see you be fruitful and multiply.  Abide in God; pray about the issues of your life and see what God will do.

Day 25

Acts 12:5&7
Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church... Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. (NKJV)

There are times when the church needs to pray.  The Church came together and sought God for their leader to be released—God responded with a miracle deliverance.  At this time, we need to pray for the purchase of land adjacent to our property.  On Thursday night, I ask the church to come to the prayer meeting with the specific purpose of praying for God to intervene and for a deal to be negotiated for the land.  Let’s join our faith and believe for God to work in our favour.

Day 26

Joshua 1:1-5
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying:  “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.  Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.  From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.(NKJV)  

There are portions of land that God reserves for His purpose and for His people to inhabit.  God strategically placed us on the site we possess with the possibility for future expansion back in the 80’s.  We sense that God’s word to us is ‘now is the time to expand,’ so we have made the decision to purchase the block to our west for the needs of the college.  We’ve made contact with the owners and we’re at an important stage in the negotiations; therefore, I’ve called for prayer tonight to seek God’s wisdom and favour upon our efforts.  I ask you to come and pray and be strong and courageous in faith. 

Day 27

Isaiah 55:10-11
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and does not return there, but waters the earth and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater.  So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (NKJV)

God sends His word to accomplish His purposes.  The analogy of the rain and snow watering and producing life illustrates the power of God’s word to create life in dry places.  Let God’s word speak into your heart and be encouraged to believe that it will bring life to your situation.  Find a verse that speaks of God’s answer for what you’re facing and trust that He will cause it to prosper in your life.

Day 28

1 Corinthians 13:1-8
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails. (NKJV)

Faith motivated by love carries great power.  Check you motives by this definition of love and bring before God those areas you’re struggling in.

Day 29

Mark 9:23
If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. (NKJV)

Jesus exhorts every Christian to believe that anything is possible when you trust God.

Day 30

Mark 9:24
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (NKJV)

There are those times when we are believing God with everything we have in us and yet we somehow know we haven’t quite got there.  It’s in those moments that we are to reach out for the mercy of God to make up the difference.

Day 31

Matthew 17:20
So Jesus said to them... ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’ (NIV)

A mustard seed is small and insignificant; Jesus used it to make the point that you may feel you have small faith, but if you will use what faith you have, there is nothing that remains outside the realms of possibility.  Make the choice to be like the man with the son who had seizures and self harmed, he came to Jesus and said, ‘I believe, help my unbelief.’  This father, used what faith he had and called out to God to help with the rest.  His actions are encouraging to us to use what faith we have and look to God to make up the difference.