May 26th-30th Devotional
Changed at the Core: A 5-Day Devotional
Listen to the devotional podcast here
Welcome to this devotional journey based on the message "Changed at the Core: Trusting the God of Miracles." Over the next five days, we will explore what it means to trust God for miracles, how to recognize His work, and how our faith can grow stronger.
Day 1: Miracles Are Still Happening
Have you ever wondered why we don't see miracles like those read about in the Bible today? Pastor Rod challenges this idea, suggesting that miracles are still taking place every day. The message shares powerful personal testimonies, like the story of a young boy diagnosed with leukemia who was prayed for, and about two to three weeks later, testing could not find one trace of leukemia in him. Another firsthand account is shared about Pastor Rod's wife, who was sick for months, experiencing pain and difficulty walking, but after prayer, God healed her, and she has had no symptoms since without needing doctors or medication.
While we might think of miracles only in terms of physical healing or casting out demons, Pastor Rod encourages us to see that there are other miracles that take place which we may fail to see or acknowledge as such. These can include the reconciliation of estranged family members, receiving a better job after praying for one, God giving you the strength to forgive someone, or God providing financially when needs arise. Pastor Rod asks us to consider if we have witnessed a miracle lately. Acknowledging these moments as miracles is part of recognizing God's power and faithfulness in our lives.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are the God of miracles, just as You were in Bible times. Open our eyes to see the ways You are working in our lives and the world around us today. Help us to recognize Your hand in both the extraordinary and seemingly ordinary events, and to give You praise for every miracle. Amen.
Declaration: We declare that God is still working miracles today. We choose to look for and acknowledge His powerful acts in healing, provision, reconciliation, and changed lives.
Day 2: Recognizing and Recording God's Work
Sometimes we experience answers to prayer and God's power, but we might not be totally convinced of what happened or fully believe that God performed the miracle. Pastor Rod prompts us to ask ourselves why we might feel this way, suggesting it could be that you're young in your faith, fragile, or undeveloped, which is normal in our walk with Jesus. It might also be because you haven't been "changed at the core" yet.
The message encourages a practice that can help us see God's work more clearly: journaling those moments of miracles. Writing them down allows us to look back during some of those hard times and be reminded of God's faithfulness. We are also encouraged to share these miracle stories, perhaps on social media, because someone else might need to hear them. Sharing our experience can also prompt us to reflect on how we responded to the miracle – did you get up and dance, praise the Lord, or give thanks to Him?
Prayer: God, sometimes doubt lingers even when we see incredible things happen. Help us to fully grasp that You are the source of these moments. Give us the discipline to record the ways You move in our lives so we can remember Your faithfulness. Give us boldness to share these stories with others who need encouragement. Amen.
Declaration: We declare that we will remember God's faithfulness by journaling the miracles we witness. We will share these stories to testify to God's power and encourage others.
Day 3: Wrestling with Doubt
It is acknowledged by Pastor Rod that even people who have experienced answers to prayer and God's power may not be totally convinced or have fully believed what they witnessed. If this describes you, you are not alone. Pastor Rod provides biblical examples of those who struggled with doubt.
One well-known example is Thomas, nicknamed "Doubting Thomas". When the other disciples told him they had seen the risen Lord, he declared he would not believe unless he saw the marks of the nails and placed his finger in them and his hand in Jesus' side. Jesus later appeared to him, inviting him to touch His wounds, and Thomas responded, "My Lord and my God".
Another relatable example is the father in Mark chapter 9. When Jesus said, "All things are possible for one who believes," the father immediately cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!". Pastor Rod asks if we can relate to Thomas or this father. Jesus works with fragile faith. Just because you don't flat out believe a miracle doesn't mean you are not a follower of Christ; it might mean you're needing to further grow in your faith. For some, faith grows slowly, while for others, it grows quickly.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for meeting us in our doubts, just as You met Thomas and the father in the Bible. We confess that sometimes we struggle to fully believe. Like the father, we say, "We believe; help our unbelief". Strengthen our fragile faith and help it to grow. Amen.
Declaration: We declare that Jesus meets us even in our doubt. We are on a journey of faith, and we trust God to help our unbelief and strengthen us step by step.
Day 4: The Journey to Being Changed at the Core
Pastor Rod introduces the idea of being "changed at the core". While some who experienced physical healing or deliverance from demons were likely changed at the core, not everyone who witnesses miracles has the same experience or is completely changed.
Simon (later called Peter, "the Rock"), witnessed incredible miracles firsthand. Jesus entered Simon's house and healed his mother-in-law of a high fever immediately. Simon also saw Jesus heal many others with various diseases and cast out demons throughout the day until late in the evening. Pastor Rod notes that Simon saw all of this, but he still wasn't changed at the core just yet. This helps us realize that it's okay if we have witnessed a miracle but still feel our core is unchanged or lack complete faith.
Are you the type of person who has to verify things, to rationalize or debunk possibilities before acknowledging a miracle?. Or perhaps over time, you've convinced yourself it wasn't God or a miracle at all. Pastor Rod believes that God longs for a point where our faith overrides our doubts. There needs to come a point where our faith ascends, causing our doubts to descend. Our faith needs to expand, causing our doubts to shrink.
Prayer: Merciful God, thank You for Your patience with us as our faith grows. We confess our tendency to rationalize or explain away the incredible things You do. We ask You to change us at the core, helping our faith to ascend and our doubts to descend. May our trust in You grow stronger each day. Amen.
Declaration: We declare that our faith will ascend, causing our doubts to descend. We trust that God is changing us at the core and strengthening our belief.
Day 5: Growing in Faith and Trusting for the Impossible
In a world that often mocks faith, choosing to trust Jesus is a bold act. If you are on this journey of growing faith, you are not alone; God is with you, and so is the community of believers. Pastor Rod offers three practical ways to help our faith grow:
These practices help us move towards a place where we can trust God for the impossible. Some believers reach a point where, when difficulties or pressures arise, they stand in the face of them going, "I can't wait to see how God takes care of this". They are not living for the possible but starting to trust God for the impossible. We are encouraged to be bold in our faith, responding to skepticism with grace and sharing our testimony. For God has given us a spirit not of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
Prayer: Almighty God, thank You for providing ways for our faith to grow. Help us to actively live in community, seeking out fellow believers to walk with. Guide us to mentors who can pour into us and help us see You more clearly. Show us where we can get involved in serving others within the church, feeding our faith as we go. Embolden us to trust You for the impossible and to share Your truth in a doubting world. Amen.
Declaration: We declare we are transformed by faith, trusting the God of miracles. We lift our faith, letting doubts fade and proclaim Your works, healings, reconciliation, and salvation. Like Simon, we grow step by step, strengthening by Your grace. We commit to community, stirring up love and serving boldly as we have been urged to do. With power and love and self control, we share Your truth in a doubting world. We are changed at the core, giving You all glory.
Listen to the devotional podcast here
Welcome to this devotional journey based on the message "Changed at the Core: Trusting the God of Miracles." Over the next five days, we will explore what it means to trust God for miracles, how to recognize His work, and how our faith can grow stronger.
Day 1: Miracles Are Still Happening
Have you ever wondered why we don't see miracles like those read about in the Bible today? Pastor Rod challenges this idea, suggesting that miracles are still taking place every day. The message shares powerful personal testimonies, like the story of a young boy diagnosed with leukemia who was prayed for, and about two to three weeks later, testing could not find one trace of leukemia in him. Another firsthand account is shared about Pastor Rod's wife, who was sick for months, experiencing pain and difficulty walking, but after prayer, God healed her, and she has had no symptoms since without needing doctors or medication.
While we might think of miracles only in terms of physical healing or casting out demons, Pastor Rod encourages us to see that there are other miracles that take place which we may fail to see or acknowledge as such. These can include the reconciliation of estranged family members, receiving a better job after praying for one, God giving you the strength to forgive someone, or God providing financially when needs arise. Pastor Rod asks us to consider if we have witnessed a miracle lately. Acknowledging these moments as miracles is part of recognizing God's power and faithfulness in our lives.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are the God of miracles, just as You were in Bible times. Open our eyes to see the ways You are working in our lives and the world around us today. Help us to recognize Your hand in both the extraordinary and seemingly ordinary events, and to give You praise for every miracle. Amen.
Declaration: We declare that God is still working miracles today. We choose to look for and acknowledge His powerful acts in healing, provision, reconciliation, and changed lives.
Day 2: Recognizing and Recording God's Work
Sometimes we experience answers to prayer and God's power, but we might not be totally convinced of what happened or fully believe that God performed the miracle. Pastor Rod prompts us to ask ourselves why we might feel this way, suggesting it could be that you're young in your faith, fragile, or undeveloped, which is normal in our walk with Jesus. It might also be because you haven't been "changed at the core" yet.
The message encourages a practice that can help us see God's work more clearly: journaling those moments of miracles. Writing them down allows us to look back during some of those hard times and be reminded of God's faithfulness. We are also encouraged to share these miracle stories, perhaps on social media, because someone else might need to hear them. Sharing our experience can also prompt us to reflect on how we responded to the miracle – did you get up and dance, praise the Lord, or give thanks to Him?
Prayer: God, sometimes doubt lingers even when we see incredible things happen. Help us to fully grasp that You are the source of these moments. Give us the discipline to record the ways You move in our lives so we can remember Your faithfulness. Give us boldness to share these stories with others who need encouragement. Amen.
Declaration: We declare that we will remember God's faithfulness by journaling the miracles we witness. We will share these stories to testify to God's power and encourage others.
Day 3: Wrestling with Doubt
It is acknowledged by Pastor Rod that even people who have experienced answers to prayer and God's power may not be totally convinced or have fully believed what they witnessed. If this describes you, you are not alone. Pastor Rod provides biblical examples of those who struggled with doubt.
One well-known example is Thomas, nicknamed "Doubting Thomas". When the other disciples told him they had seen the risen Lord, he declared he would not believe unless he saw the marks of the nails and placed his finger in them and his hand in Jesus' side. Jesus later appeared to him, inviting him to touch His wounds, and Thomas responded, "My Lord and my God".
Another relatable example is the father in Mark chapter 9. When Jesus said, "All things are possible for one who believes," the father immediately cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!". Pastor Rod asks if we can relate to Thomas or this father. Jesus works with fragile faith. Just because you don't flat out believe a miracle doesn't mean you are not a follower of Christ; it might mean you're needing to further grow in your faith. For some, faith grows slowly, while for others, it grows quickly.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for meeting us in our doubts, just as You met Thomas and the father in the Bible. We confess that sometimes we struggle to fully believe. Like the father, we say, "We believe; help our unbelief". Strengthen our fragile faith and help it to grow. Amen.
Declaration: We declare that Jesus meets us even in our doubt. We are on a journey of faith, and we trust God to help our unbelief and strengthen us step by step.
Day 4: The Journey to Being Changed at the Core
Pastor Rod introduces the idea of being "changed at the core". While some who experienced physical healing or deliverance from demons were likely changed at the core, not everyone who witnesses miracles has the same experience or is completely changed.
Simon (later called Peter, "the Rock"), witnessed incredible miracles firsthand. Jesus entered Simon's house and healed his mother-in-law of a high fever immediately. Simon also saw Jesus heal many others with various diseases and cast out demons throughout the day until late in the evening. Pastor Rod notes that Simon saw all of this, but he still wasn't changed at the core just yet. This helps us realize that it's okay if we have witnessed a miracle but still feel our core is unchanged or lack complete faith.
Are you the type of person who has to verify things, to rationalize or debunk possibilities before acknowledging a miracle?. Or perhaps over time, you've convinced yourself it wasn't God or a miracle at all. Pastor Rod believes that God longs for a point where our faith overrides our doubts. There needs to come a point where our faith ascends, causing our doubts to descend. Our faith needs to expand, causing our doubts to shrink.
Prayer: Merciful God, thank You for Your patience with us as our faith grows. We confess our tendency to rationalize or explain away the incredible things You do. We ask You to change us at the core, helping our faith to ascend and our doubts to descend. May our trust in You grow stronger each day. Amen.
Declaration: We declare that our faith will ascend, causing our doubts to descend. We trust that God is changing us at the core and strengthening our belief.
Day 5: Growing in Faith and Trusting for the Impossible
In a world that often mocks faith, choosing to trust Jesus is a bold act. If you are on this journey of growing faith, you are not alone; God is with you, and so is the community of believers. Pastor Rod offers three practical ways to help our faith grow:
- Live in community: Faith grows stronger in community. We are encouraged to stir up one another to love and good works and not neglect meeting together. This means finding a small group or friends within the church to journey with, share questions with, and share miracles with.
- Seek a mentor: Having someone pouring into your life, like an older believer, pastor, or small group leader, is crucial for spiritual growth. They can help you see God's miracles more clearly.
- Get involved: Serving in areas of the church, such as youth ministry, children's ministry, worship, or outreach, helps feed your faith. Your faith will grow as you walk with others.
These practices help us move towards a place where we can trust God for the impossible. Some believers reach a point where, when difficulties or pressures arise, they stand in the face of them going, "I can't wait to see how God takes care of this". They are not living for the possible but starting to trust God for the impossible. We are encouraged to be bold in our faith, responding to skepticism with grace and sharing our testimony. For God has given us a spirit not of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
Prayer: Almighty God, thank You for providing ways for our faith to grow. Help us to actively live in community, seeking out fellow believers to walk with. Guide us to mentors who can pour into us and help us see You more clearly. Show us where we can get involved in serving others within the church, feeding our faith as we go. Embolden us to trust You for the impossible and to share Your truth in a doubting world. Amen.
Declaration: We declare we are transformed by faith, trusting the God of miracles. We lift our faith, letting doubts fade and proclaim Your works, healings, reconciliation, and salvation. Like Simon, we grow step by step, strengthening by Your grace. We commit to community, stirring up love and serving boldly as we have been urged to do. With power and love and self control, we share Your truth in a doubting world. We are changed at the core, giving You all glory.
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