Faith In Action: The Path To Seeing God

The Bible speaks often about believing, acting, and seeing, and it presents them in a specific spiritual order. And these three actions are related.

In scripture, bleeding is a starting point for those following God. Faith begins before we see results.

Trusting in God’s character, promises, and Word even when circumstances don’t yet show the outcome.

Belief is internal, it’s of the heart and mind, but it’s powerful enough to change actions and destiny.

Here are a few keep scriptures for believing:

2 Corinthians 5:7 – “We walk by faith, not by sight.”

Hebrews 11:6 – “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Acts 16:31– “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

Believing in the Bible, is always the foundation.

Acting -Faith is proven and completed through actions.

The Bible teaches that real belief produces action. Faith that never acts is considered incomplete.

Actions don’t replace belief -they reveal it.

Obedience is faith expressed outwardly. And acting on God‘s Word indicates spiritual results.

Here are a few scriptures:

James 2:17 – “Faith, if it was no works, is dead in itself.”

James 2:18 – “Yes a man will say, you have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.”

James 1:22 – “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.”

Seeing – God’s results, outcomes, and fulfillment.

What we believe in obey, then we often see God’s work, fulfillment, or breakthrough..

Seeing involve spiritual understanding, answered prayer, or God‘s promise is becoming visible.

Sometimes the “seeing” is immediate other times, it requires patience. God reveals Himself to those who trust Him.

God fulfills His promises.

Here are a few scriptures:

Joshua 21:45 – “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed, every one was fulfilled.”

2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise…He is patient with you.”

God brings His work to completion.

Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Isaiah 55:11 – “So is my word… it will not return empty, but will accomplish what I desire.”

God causes the outcome.

Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit your deeds to the Lord, and your plans shall succeed.”

God makes all things work together.

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.”

Genesis 50:20 – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.”

“What good does it do, if someone claims to have faith but does not prove it with actions? This kind of faith cannot save. Faith by itself, if it does not prove itself with actions, is dead.” James 2:14-17 (paraphrased)

We Are Called To Examine Ourselves

The Bible teaches us to examine ourselves concerning others with humility, love, and respect.

This involves assessing whether our life reflects the teachings of Jesus. 2 Corinthians 13:5 commands believers to “examine yourselves to see whether you are in faith.” This can be done by considering our actions and reliance on Jesus, and the fruit of the Spirit, which are love, joy, and patience in our lives.

The purpose is to gain assurance, identify areas that need growth, and ensure our faith is authentic. This leads to transformation rather than self-deception.

David in Psalm 139:23-24 asks God to, “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. And see if there by any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” This shows a dependence on God to reveal our own sin and motives, as we may not see them ourselves.

The Apostle Paul connects self-examination with participating in the Lord’s Supper (Communion) stating in 1 Corinthians 11:28, “But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.”

There are some questions I ask myself that I find important for self examination:

  • Are you trusting in Jesus alone? Examine if your faith and salvation are based on who Jesus is or what he has done, not on our own efforts or perceiving good deeds.
  • Do you see the fruit of the Spirit? Consider if you are growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).
  • Is your prayer life genuine? Are you praying with sincerity, or is there bitterness, envy, or evil in your heart.
  • Are you living out what you believe? Compare your actions to your beliefs. Are you putting your faith into action, or are you simply hearing the Word without doing it?
  • Are you relying on God’s power? Recognize that transformation is not solely your own effort but a work of the Holy Spirit. Are you depending on Him to change you?

There are also some things to avoid when we examine ourselves.

  • Unhealthy introspection. Avoid becoming overly self focused to the point of despair or self-pity. Do not fall into thinking “I’m failing at everything” or my growth is hopeless.
  • Making self-improvement goal. The goal here isn’t self improvement towards its own sake, but the purpose of being more like Jesus and glorifying God. The focus should be on Him, not on ourselves.
  • Focusing only on feelings. Self examination should not be based on feelings alone, as it can be unreliable. Instead, look to the unchanging truth of God’s Word.

The Quiet Life

Daily writing prompt
What could you do less of?
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Sometimes in life, we meet people who have to push drama. There is something in their personality that makes them want to upset every situation. Their behaviors and outbursts are unpredictable and inappropriate. I used to try and be empathetic, but now I tend to just brush off their emotionally reactive traits.

Some people fuel drama due to their deep-seated need for attention, validation, and control. Whether it stems from, insecurity, boredom, or past traumas it is a way for them to feel significant or powerful. Which I could use less of in my life. I usually walk away, if God doesn’t show me that this person needs help and will listen. My default is I will try and help anyone. If they show me that they don’t want my help. I avoid interacting with them.

Applying The Armor Of God In Three Daily Habits

The Armor of God consists of six pieces: The Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit. These elements are described in Ephesians 6:10-18 and serve as spiritual protection for those who believe in God.

I have found many people who teach the Bible will tell us about these, but they don’t inform us on how to apply them.

Recently I’ve had a few spiritual attacks on my family. And I lost my peace with God. Admittedly I was a mess. My child was nearly involved in two work incidents due to equipment failure that could have changed his life forever.

I decided I was going to look into how to apply the Armor of God more fully to our lives.

My family needed a refresher course to help anchor the day in God’s truth and protect us throughout the day.

These 3 daily habits can help counter the attacks from unforeseen circumstances.

  1. Morning: Belt of Truth
  • Action: Speak one Bible truth or verse aloud each morning before you open any device, or check your phone.
  • Purpose: This habit anchors the day in reality and aligns your focus with God‘s truth from the start.

2. Midday: Breastplate of Righeousness

  • Action: Set a reminder to pause midday abs assess what you have allowed into your heart, and confess any sin, then reset your focus.
  • Purpose: This protects our heart from negativity and keeps us guarded throughout the day.

3. Evening: Shield of Faith

  • Action: Before going to bed write down one lie you encountered during the day and counter it with a truth about God from scripture.
  • Purpose: This practice trains our minds to recognize spiritual attacks and actively deflect them with faith in God’s Word.

We can apply the shoes of the gospel by adopting Psalm 19:14 to ourselves, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, O Lord my Rock.” Can help us be willing vessels for the Shoes of the gospel.

Applying the helmet of Salvation must be to actively protect you. Ind by focusing on God’s promises and rejecting doubt and negative thought.

The Sword of the Spirit is applied by using God’s Word as a weapon. And will usually cause evil to flee.

We live in a world that is chaotic and broken and it’s easy to become distracted and weighed down in even the best of it. We need to practice using the sword of the Spirit -God’s Word.

Positive Events

Daily writing prompt
What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?
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Proverbs 22:14 links humility and fearing God to riches, honor, and life. It’s important to recognize that rewards aren’t always wealth, they can include inner peace, wisdom, and protection from life’s snares.

I have had a chance to experience many positive events take place in my life. Such as my son finding an amazing job, which brought him closer to where I live, so I can see him more often.

Discovering my God-given purpose and living a mission-driven life has been a positive event in my life. I always try to see the positive in every event. Because I know and trust God to get me through.

Wild Animals

Daily writing prompt
Do you ever see wild animals?
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I live in a mountainous region. It is common to see mule deer, and elk and Jack rabbits . Big horn sheep can be seen if you go up high enough in the mountains. I’ve seen all of these.
There is a place in the south-eastern of the state I live that is called Antelope Island that’s a causeway where people get a chance to see pronghorn antelope and Bison.

Pronghorn Antelope

God Has A Way

“ But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God met it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, and save many people alive, as it is happening today” -Genesis 50:20

God can take the very thing that looks like a total disaster in our lives and turn it into a wonderful victory.

He can turn our tears of sorrow into tears of joy, and He will help us keep that joy in our hearts, even during adversity.

Joseph spoke the word in Genesis 50:20 as he went through great adversity time after time. Despite being sold into slavery and sentenced to prison, he eventually became the Prime Minister of a nation. Joseph held faster division. God had given him as a young man, as a result, God turned his situation around.

I may not know what trial you are going through right now, but I know this: if you will be patient and hold fast to God‘s Word, He will turn your situation around and give you victory.

God can use the evil thing. Satan has brought against us as a tool for deliverance and victory. All volume we may be looking at a disaster in the natural, God can turn it into the greatest blessing we’ve ever experience.

Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:11,

“Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

God is for us not against us. We can take a stand today on the Word of God, knowing that despite any trial we may be facing, God will turn it around.

A Grounded Faith

The world is shaking, do you feel it? Having a strong stable, and unshakable belief that serves as a firm foundation is crucial.

It involves a deep commitment and relationship with Jesus. Thus provides steadfastness and resilience again doubt, worldly influences, and life’s challenges.

It’s the foundation of life. A grounded faith is the basis for our actions and worldview, similar to how roots support a tree.

A person who is grounded in their faith is not easily swayed by false teachings or the shifting circumstances of the world.

We need to have a source of strength. A deep seated belief that acts as a source of strength and guidance. This helps us navigate difficulties and remain true to our convictions.

Being grounded in faith is a state of spiritual stability, where hope and belief are firm and constant, and not easily blown around by life like a leaf in the wind.

“You have to stand for something or you’ll fall for everything”

Paul wrote to the Colossians church in 1:21-2 during the time the church was falling prey to heretical teachings and empty deceit that was based on human traditions, and elemental forces of the world not based on Jesus.

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But not He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation -if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and which I, Paul, have become a servant.”

In this day and age of technology and information, we have at the click of a button, it’s easy to find ourselves immersed in studying what others say about their beliefs and opinions on Jesus. We can listen to podcasts and sermons, all at the expense of a relationship with God.

According to Joshua 1:8, we are to meditate on scripture day and night, so that we are careful to do everything written in it.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your ways prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

God has given us His Word that we may stand on truth. Psalm 19:7 states, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul, the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”

His law is perfect, and His ways are sure. We never have to wonder if human teaching is on the Word of God. We have access to God’s Word for ourselves. Let’s not assume that all teachings are true. Let’s be diligent in study of the Word. And ask God to reveal His truth in His Word clearly to us.

Humans will speak false truths they have in the past, will speak in the present, and will speak in the future. This is our limited understanding of truth. We must always remember what Matthew 7:5 says, “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

We all have inconsistencies in our understanding. This reinforces the importance of studying the scriptures and challenging our understanding of them. And remain grounded.

God wants us to follow Him, and being a follower of Him is being a follower of truth. If we ask in faith and believe, God will reveal His truth to us.

Mark 11:24 says, “I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them and you will have them.”

We can pray and ask God to remove any false doctrine from our minds and replace it with the truth of His way.

May we rest assured in the peace and truth God is revealing to us daily. God has spoken the truth and we can remain grounded and steadfast in faith, if we hold true to God’s Word and not shift away from the eternal, everlasting hope of Jesus Christ.

Places I’ve Visited

Daily writing prompt
Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it?
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I visited many places, but one place in particular is somewhere not to many know about and I think there is no longer public it has been fenced off for years.
I spent a lot of time there in younger years and built fond memories. It’s called Swasey’s beach and it’s in southern Utah.

Good Things

Daily writing prompt
Share five things you’re good at.
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Throughout life we all gain experience in our gifts from God. Anything we hone in on, with enough effort we can good at any thing. It’s all about things that give us joy. It’s about not giving up.
I’m not sure if I can come up with five things I’m good at.

I’m pretty good at my observation skills, mostly because i was made to learn and experience life from observation growing up.

I am pretty good at having empathy for others, simply because I know what it feels like to like to hurt. I don’t like to see anyone suffer.

I’m good at serving people, but I would rather do it at a distance than up front and personal. I don’t like to draw attention to myself.

I am pretty good a cooking and baking food my family enjoys.

Being good at things are a combination of both our gifts from God and a result of developing our passions.

The Biblical Perspective On Entitlement

The Bible contrasts the concept of entitlement with humility, teaching that one is not inherently deserving of special treatment, but that all blessings are gifts from God.

I keep myself from being bothered by others who disrespect others. But today I couldn’t ignore it. I asked nicely for my neighbor to stop blocking my driveway, and he began with the insults and hand gestures. I wonder where we went wrong in today’s generation? Law enforcement had to get involved, this was not how I wanted to spend my evening. I wanted to spend a peaceful night out with my husband. He was made to move. But made a point to say he was more important than anyone else.

The biblical perspective on entitlement is rooted in the belief that a selfish or self-centered mindset is contrary to God’s will, and believers are called to consider others more important than themselves. These principles encourage gratitude, service, and humility, with a central example being Jesus’s own sacrifice of His divine rights.

Humility over pride. The Bible consistently warns against pride and a self-centered viewpoint that fosters entitlement.

James 4:6 tells us that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Instead of feeling entitled, we are encouraged to be grateful for what we have.

Scripture teaches that all good things are a gift from God, and what we have is not owed to us but is a result of God’s grace.

Romans 6:23 contrasts the “wages of sin” with the “free gift of God.”

The core principle is to prioritize the needs of others, which directly counters an entitlement mindset.

1 Corinthians 10:24 encourages us to stop looking out for our own interests and focus instead on the people living and breathing around us.

Entitlement perspectives damage relationships because they conflict with the command to love one’s neighbor.

Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of giving up perceived rights for the greater good.

Philippians 2:5-8 describes how Jesus “emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant…(and) humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.

We are called to follow His example by choosing to lay down our rights for the benefits of others and God’s glory. But Proverbs 21:23 also highlights the importance of guarding our words to avoid unnecessary conflict and maintain peace.

The Bible teaches that through faith in Jesus, we are not entitled to anything on earth, or a life free of difficulty.

I’ve been praying for wisdom to know how to handle my difficult neighbors. And asking for grace, patience, and a change in their perspective and requesting protection and guidance for my family.