Devotional 7 From New You, Stepping out in Faith
This devotional is part of the 3 week Bible Study Workout Series at soulstrengthfit.com

Each of us has God-given gifts.  Some of the gifts we are given are more prominent and celebrated than others.  Some can be overlooked and unseen.  What’s important is that you steward the gifts you have been given wisely.  Let’s consider the kinds of gifts the Bible says God gives us.

You will be one day held accountable for how you used the gifts and talents you’ve been given by God.  If Jesus were to ask you today, “What are you currently doing with what I’ve given you?” how would you respond?  
Are there any areas of your life in which you are not living to your fullest potential?

Are there any areas of your life that God might want you to respond differently?

In what areas of your life might God be calling you to take action?

Devotional 6 From New You, Stepping out in Faith
This devotional pairs with workout 1 week 2 from  the 3 week Bible Study Workout Series at soulstrengthfit.com

What is the significance that each was given “according to his ability”?  And what is the difference between the reactions of the two faithful servants and the reaction of the unfaithful servant? Is there one quality which seems to you to be most important?

God has given each one of us at least one great gift, and what we do with that gift matters.  We can open our gift and use it, or we can bury it away.  A question every Christian must answer is “What will I do with my gift?”  Will you bury it in the ground, or will you step out in faith and multiply your gift like the other two servants in obedient service to the Lord?

Do You Sense God Calling You?  - Devotional 5 From New You, Stepping out in Faith
This devotional pairs with workout 3 from  the 3 week Bible Study Workout Series at soulstrengthfit.com

The Israelites have reached an all new low. Instead of the 'land flowing with milk and honey' they lived in the caves and the clefts in rocks, too scared to face their enemy. Whatever crops  they did get to plant were destroyed by the enemy, and their livestock destroyed as well.  So Israel cries out to the Lord.  (About time too - it only took seven years!)

Can you think of a time that you felt you were living in fear, strife, conflict or hardship?  At what point did you finally cry out to the Lord?  What was your request, and what was God’s response?

Building Faith - Devotional 4 From New You, Stepping out in Faith
This devotional comes from  the 3 week Bible Study Workout Series at soulstrengthfit.com

Think about a monumental event in your life.  Perhaps this was deciding on where to attend school, getting married, staying in a relationship, buying a house, moving out of state. What helped you make that decision? Often, people look for a sign to help them when making a big decision.  Do you feel you received a sign that helped you make your decision?  If so, what was it?
Joshua was used by God to help the Israelites cross the Jordan River. Joshua led his people in faith, and thanks to his faith, God’s almighty power was revealed.  Can you see how Joshua’s decision to act in faith went on to strengthen the faith of many, many others?  

Your faith can also be used to strengthen the faith of others.  Make a commitment to look for ways you can be used by God to help someone cross their Jordan.  Make a commitment to be used by God to strengthen the faith of someone else.

Devotional 3 From New You, Stepping out in Faith
This devotional pairs with Week 1, Workout 2 in the 3 week Bible Study Workout Series at soulstrengthfit.com

Today, let’s consider how Moses took major risks and stepped out in faith. 

God wants you to be fruitful.  He wants to use you in extraordinary ways.  Close your time today in prayer, asking God to make clear to you how He desires to work in and through you.

Get Out of your Boat - Devotional 2 From New You, Stepping out in Faith
From  soulstrengthfit.com

Today we will consider another example in the Bible of someone who has stepped out in faith for the Lord: Abraham.  God has called many people to take risks, to put comfort aside, and to demonstrate their faith and trust through their actions, and we will definitely see this in Abraham’s life.  

Begin by reading Genesis 22:1-19.  How did God ask Abraham to step out in faith?  What was the result?
How can you obey God like Abraham did, especially when you don't understand why He’s asking you to obey in a certain way, or you don’t understand your current circumstances?  Where is God calling you to obey in your life right now, even if you don’t understand?

Get Out of your Boat - Devotional 1 From New You, Stepping out in Faith
This devotional pairs with Week 1, Workout 1 in the 3 week Bible Study Workout Series at soulstrengthfit.com

Do you believe God calls everybody to step out in faith and do something extraordinary?  Why or why not?  Has he ever called you to step out in faith and do something meaningful, significant, or scary?  What comes to mind?

Peter didn’t get out of the boat right away.  First, he wanted to have reassurance of Christ’s presence.  Then he wanted to know that Jesus thought that getting out of the boat was a good idea.  With this assurance, he then followed Jesus’ voice.  His doubt led him to begin to sink.  Jesus grabbed him by the hand, returned him to the boat safely, and then what happened?

Reread  Matthew 14:33.  What impact did this event have on the disciples?  And what impact do you think this event had on Peter?

We, too, have the opportunity to walk with Jesus in places we’d never think of going on our own.  There are numerous ways He may call each one of us over the course of our lives to get out of our own “boat” and walk to Him.  And then we  must choose.  Will we stay in the security of our boat, our comfort zone, like the other 11 disciples, or will we take a risk and get out of the boat like Peter so that God can use us in extraordinary ways?

Close your time in prayer with the Lord.  Where is He calling you to make changes, to take action, or to “get out of your boat”?

This Devotional pairs workout 7 from the 7 Day Kickstart Fitness Program found at soulstrengthfit.com. 

Can you base your faith squarely on the faithfulness and integrity of God?  
Can you live in expectation of a future (heavenly) reward rather than simply for immediate gratification?  Can you choose to imitate and take inspiration from the life of faithful Christians who have gone before you, and can you strive to be an example for those around you?  How will you put your faith into action this week?

This Devotional pairs workout 5 from the 7 Day Kickstart Fitness Program found at soulstrengthfit.com.  

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

This Devotional pairs workout 6 from the 7 Day Kickstart Fitness Program found at soulstrengthfit.com.

James 1:1-16

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.