Chapter 6: Ep 3: Faith in Action: Taking Bold Steps Forward

0:00 Welcome back, Faith Warriors, to the Diary of the Black Woman podcast with our devotional series. Last episode, we tackled the art of waiting on God, but now we're moving on to the part that really brings it all home, taking action. It's one thing to wait and hear from God, But the true test comes when we need to take a step in faith and to do something. Ain't that the truth? We can talk about it, but it's time to be about it. And trust me, action is where the magic happens.

0:42 Have you ever prayed for something and when God gives you the answer, you're like, wait, you want me to do what? But, yep, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. Faith isn't just about sitting on the sidelines. It's about getting in the game. In today's episode, we're diving into what it means to live out our faith with bold, courageous action. If you're ready to step up, this episode is for you. All right, let's get real. Faith without action is dead.

1:25 According to James 2, 26, said it is as plain as day. We can pray, we can wait, but if we don't act on what God tells us to do, our faith isn't going to grow. God doesn't call us to sit still. He calls us to move. Dang, got something in my throat when I said that. Okay, now let me hold on a second. God calls us to move. And once you've asked, you've waited, the next step is what? Obedience. So it's time to take action.

2:07 Think about it. Every time God answered a prayer in the Bible, it required a response. Noah had to build the ark. Moses had to step into the Red Sea. Even Jesus told the lame man to pick up his mat and walk. Today, we're going to break down James 1, 19 through 27. It's all about not just hearing the word, but doing the word. Are you ready to get your faith moving? So let's dive in. So James 1, 19 through 27. the importance of living out the word.

2:52 James 1.22 hits us with a truth bomb. Don't merely listen to the word and so deceive yourself. Do what it says. Whoa, that's right. It's easier to hear sermons, read devotionals. Come on now, listen to podcasts like this one. But the real question is, what are you doing with what you learned. If you only listen and never take action, we're missing out on the full power of God. That's so good. I just want to repeat that. If you're only listening to sermon, reading devotionals, Come on now and listen to podcasts like mine's, but not doing what the word says.

3:48 Then you're missing out on the full power of God. God is a God of action. He is a God of obedience. So here's the big thing. Asking and waiting are just a setup. Action is a grand finale. It's where the rubber meets the road. Think of it this way. You've prayed, you heard from God, and now it's time to step out in faith. Oh, it's scary. I know. But if you don't act, you never see the incredible things God can do through you.

4:29 It's time to be bold, take that leap, and trust that God got your back. Okay, let's get real. how do we apply this in our everyday lives? Maybe God's been nudging you to forgive someone. But you've been holding back. Or maybe he's calling you to serve in the ministry, but you're dragging your feet. Today is the day to take that step. Here are some simple ways you can start living out your faith. Serve someone. Find one person this week that you can serve.

5:10 It could be something small, help a neighbor, offer encouragement, lend a hand. Faith grows when we serve someone. Forgive someone. Holding on to bitterness, it's time to let that go. Forgiveness isn't easy, but it's a powerful act of faith that sets you free. Share your story. Tell someone about what God is doing in your life. Sharing your faith helps you grow and encourages others. Remember the first episode says, Lord, what would you have me to do? Well, begin to start that process of doing just that.

5:52 You know, faith is active and you live it out daily. Remember, it's not about perfection. It's about progress. Every step of faith you take brings you closer to the person God has called you to be. So this week, don't just listen, do. Ask God what he wants you to do today and then go for it. And so the challenge this week, I challenge you to step out in faith, whether it's forgiving someone, serving someone, sharing your story, do something that stretches your faith that come, then come back and tell me how it went.

6:38 Do that thing that you asked him on the first episode, Lord, what would you have me to do? Let's go to James 1, 19 to 27. The Bible tells us to be doers of the word, not just hearers only. Faith is more than just believing. It's about doing. You ever hear the people, you ask someone, Would you want to do this? I got to pray about it first. People are always in the praying mode. I haven't heard from God about it yet. Sometimes God wants us to be about it first. Sometimes we just have to move.

7:20 So faith is not just believing, it's doing. James tells us that faith without our action is dead. This means that after we ask and wait, there comes a time, especially between that waiting time, that we might have to step out boldly and put our faith into action. Whether it's forgiving, serving, or making bold decisions, your faith must be lived out. So think about some areas in your life where you need to take the next step of faith? Where is God calling you to move? Remember, God equips you for everything he calls you to do. So don't hesitate.

8:05 Act with confidence. So here goes some points of encouragement. Number one, it says take the first leap. Faith grows when you act on it, whether it's small steps or big decisions. God is calling you to move forward in faith. So you done wrote about it. You done prayed about it. now God's saying be about it. It could be a small step or it can be a big step. But remember God's, remember I mentioned in the first episode that boldness open doors. And so there's an always an opportunity when it's easy, when that door is already open.

8:46 So when God, though you asked the Lord, what is there for me to do? The door is now open for you to go through it. So go through the open doors, but you hesitate. That door is going to be closed. It's going to be a little bit harder to get through it. So instant obedient is obedient. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Number two, God's strength in your action. You don't have to do it alone. God is with you in every step of obedience. When you take action, he provides the strength and the wisdom you need. And so what you fall, right?

9:28 So you're learning like a baby taking the first step. Ooh, that wasn't right. And you fall down. So what, right? You get back up and you do it again. But remember, God has your back. Number three, faith transforms through action. When you live out your faith, it not only transforms your life, but also the lives of those around you. Be a beacon of God, of God's love through your action. So take the leap, trust God for the strength in your action. And let faith transform you through action. James 1, 19 to 27, be doers of the word and not just to hear us only.

10:16 James 2.17. So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Faith must be active and lived out in action. This encouraged us to take both steps to live out in faith. So you just, faith has action. Faith has action. So you sitting there saying, I'm waiting for the Lord, the Lord said, I'm waiting on you. Faith has action. I like to say faith has action steps. Action steps. Philippians 2, 3, for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. And so for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. So it's God who works in you.

11:04 God equips us to act according to his will. He gives us confidence that our actions align with his purpose when we respond to his call. So don't worry about messing it up. Just move. Just move. Ephesians 2.10, it says, we are his workmanship created. That's powerful because it reminds us that he already knows what we are destined to do.

11:46 But I love this. He says, for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk. So there's some movement here that we should walk in them. So God is waiting for us to move. You've already asked. You prayed. You waited. And so now it's time to move. This verse encourages us to step into good works that God has prepared for us with confidence. And so our challenge this week is to step out in faith, to step out in faith, to forgive someone.

12:29 Now that might seem kind of uncomfortable. They probably say, I didn't know you were mad at me. Well, I'm forgiving you. So you know, I'm wants to serve someone, share your story, Do what God has told you to do a long time ago. You know, just do that thing. Lord, what would you have me to do? You probably wrote it down. You prayed about it. You waited. This is the third episode and you still haven't done it. God says, go ahead and do that now. Time to do that now. We asked. Now we waited. Now it's time to do that. All right. So let's get going. In our next episode, we'll talk about the amazing assurance we have in Christ, knowing that he's interceding for us, making all the difference in our prayer life.

13:20 You don't want to miss it. So make sure to subscribe, share, and save, share, and come back next week. Until then, stay blessed, stay bold, and keep walking in God's grace. Thanks again for joining me on Diary of a Black Woman podcast, the devotional series. I'm your host, Connie Morris. Stay fired up. Please subscribe, review, and share it with someone who needs that extra push to take action. And remember, you can always find more encouragement and resources on my website, diaryofblackwomenllc.com. Until next time, keep moving forward in faith and living out your purpose.

14:08 Amen. Amen. Thanks for joining me.