Discuss: 1) Describe your feelings of “double-fisted faith.” Is this idea a struggle for you or do you embrace it? 2) When have you had to clench your fists and cling tightly onto God’s promises, not knowing the outcome of the situation? 3) Pray that God would strengthen your faith in questioning times, knowing that He has you in the palm of His hand.
Introduction Peter leads a large group of disciples to an isolated (perhaps secretive) meeting where Jesus will once again give them their marching orders. Then they make their way back to Jerusalem to await the coming Holy Spirit as the movement switches into its...
Introduction After rising from the dead, Jesus appears to His disciples on several occasions. Paul lists the appearances in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. He appeared to many people individually — to His leaders on several occasions and even to a group of disciples numbering...
1) Even after the reading, I am still not sure if I understand what “double-fisted faith” really means; but from the article I, like everybody else, would love to have all of my prayers answered; although having unanswered prayer has its own lesson. And from what I’ve experienced so far, God usually replaces what we prayed for to what He wants to bless us with, His choice is always better.
2) There are many to choose from, but I remembered the time when we, as boat people, escaped from the Vietnam’s coast to Malaysia. And on the second day out at sea, we encountered fishermen from Thailand. I remembered praying for deliverance, because we’ve heard horror stories of the Thai’s piracy. Thank God that they did not kidnap or harm any of us, but just took our belongings. We arrived to Pulau Bidong, Malaysia with just the clothes on our back; but praise God, we are safe.
3) The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
(from Charlie)
I feel that today question is exactly what I shared yesterday and matches my prayer yesterday.
When there is simply nothing you can do, your choice is to sink into despair and give up because there is nothing you can do with your own power to affect your circumstances or you can pray for God to relieve your suffering if it is His will. But even if it is not yet the right time what can you do? At that point the other fist comes up and you pray for his mercy and grace to grant you the strength to accept His plan and the faith to endure. As Jesus must on the cross to fulfill the Father’s plans. Not that we can be compared to Jesus suffering but even if Jesus must submit to the Father’s will what can we do but to submit. It is done we would say, the will be done.
Father I pray the same prayer as before to give me the strength and to use me to minister to others in the same circumstances so that I can be of use in this time.
1. For me, I don’t really know what double fisted faith is but I will keep trusting in Jesus and keep putting my faith in Him even if people say that it’s a gamble. I know that in the end God wins and He deserves all the glory I give Him, and even if He doesn’t answer my prayer, He is still righteous in everything He does.
2. When I first accepted the position to be President of Cru at FVHS, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into, but I had to put faith in Jesus through everything. I remember taking control of the evangelism at Fall Fest for Cru at FVHS, and I didn’t know what to expect and I didn’t know what the outcome of it was going to be, but I kept trusting in God, and He gave me the strength to do what I needed to do to make sure that Cru is the safest place for people.
3. Dear God, You have stuck with me through thick and thin even when it feels like something could go wrong even if I am trusting in You. Help me to continue putting my faith in You no matter what outcome may be for You are always sovereign and righteous. You will never fail and you will win in the end. I pray all these things in Jesus Name, Amen.
The double fisted faith is good. I worship God and he will protect me. If he doesn’t I will still worship God and put try faith in him. He things go wrong sometimes I know it is all part of the plan. He is building something I do not see in the moment but he has a plan. I time I was holding on to God was opening up with my father about our relationship. It was a scary moment but it all worked out and we are now good. There are times I lose faith. I am guilty of it but I have been strong and will stay strong. I pray God will continue helping me stay strong and I will always stay faithful in God.
From Cyndi
In the past yes, when my faith was not as strong, I did struggle to understand the “double-fisted faith”. I used to be so discouraged and disappointment because I thought if I serve, obey, and follow him, he will always answer and rescue me from my problems and sufferings. Now, as I am older and my faith is stronger and from past experiences with hardships, I embrace it, but still struggle it with at times. I have learned that God has a plan for me and no matter what the outcome will be, God is always there for me and helps me along the way. Also, what helps me to embrace this faith is knowing that my suffering and hardships on earth is temporary and are tools that God is using to change and shape me (from one of Bumble’s old sermon) “Trials are tools that God is using to change you, Be thankful, It’s a process”. It so hard to accept that God doesn’t always answer my prayers or gives me the good news, but because I know he is God and he reigns and I just need to submit it all to God. I have more peace when I let go and surrender it to God.
A few months ago, I got the news of a small mass in my body, I was so worried and scared when I found out the news, but praise God it was negative. In the moment it was really hard to stay positive, but I cling onto God’s promises and trusting that no matter what the results were, I am in God’s hands, he is with me, and will continue to help me get through it.
God I pray that you continue to strengthen me and give me your peace in times of doubts, troubles, and uncertainty. Thank you for being there before and will continue to be with me now and in the future. Amen.
Double fisted faith is an interesting but cool concept and I am all for it. There are times when God is present and obvious but other times he seems far and distant. I just have to remind myself that God is always there and he would never abandon me to handle something beyond my strength. His timing is absolute and I need to be patient and be ready to listen. When I was sure I would stay in Philly for the rest of my life all my friends did it and they are settling and having families buying homes etc and I wanted that, but I just felt God telling me that isn’t something for me at the moment and I need to be elsewhere. I prayed and listened and here I am. I don’t know what the future holds but I’m ready for the challenge and experience.
Dear God thanks for being the one I can rely on during my highs and especially my lows. Please be patient with me and allow me to be ready to receive your calling for my life. Thanks for always pulling me from my lowest points to highs I didn’t know possible. I pray for your continued support and guidance in my life.
For me I have a hard time with it because sometimes feel like when something doesn’t go the way I was expecting and I was trusting in the lord it is a pretty bad feeling in my opinion. Like wanting a certain outcome and not getting it and it questioning the lord. Obviously later on I see it was God’s plan but it is a tough swallow when it first happens. I think right now with my situation with grad school and being back home. I have my fist pretty tightly clenched hoping I get in the school I’m applying to and I pass the exam I’m studying for. Lord I.pray I trust in your plan and your plan only and whatever the outcome maybe in my life remind it is all according to your will
Christine
1)As for me, “double-fisted faith” turning it (everything) over to God. For everything that has happened in my life so far is all by God’s mercy and grace. I do not struggle with thought. I’m still in awe daily with his Blessings. It’s not always perfect but as long as I rely on him, everything always works out beyond what I imagined. 🙏🏻❤️
2) When I had fell into a really dark place 8 years ago. I truly surrendered myself to him and turn my life over on a daily basis. He started to answered my prayers one by one. He put the right people in my life to guide me and help me through my darkness and into the light.
3)Oh Heavenly Father, thank you for always providing me with the right people to guide me in my troubled times. I pray that you continue to give me strength and faith to always remember to turn over my worries to you. That God you are in control not me. Lord, I surrender my life to you and ask you to guide me with compassion, hope, peace. I pray that you watch over my angels crystal, Kimberly, and Amber during their trip to Japan. May they grow closer to each other on this trip lord. Lord, I also pray that you guide the mother in laws in this group to be loving and understanding towards their daughter in laws. Please provide these ladies with drama free and peace in their home lord. In Jesus name AMEN
From Tuan:
1) I admire those who hold onto their faith no matter what life throws their way. I don’t know if I could be that strong if I was facing a personal tragedy. In my heart I know that I should embrace it but I don’t know if I could.
2) Fortunately I have not experienced the situation yet. I hope the Holy Spirit in me will guide me when I do.
3) Lord, I thank you for your constant presence, even when my burden feels heavy. As I navigate this challenging time of overwhelming with work, I pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen my faith and grant me the unwavering courage to face whatever comes my way. I confess my doubt about the unknown future, but I choose to place my trust in your guiding hand. Even when your answer may not be what I expect, I know you are with me, walking beside me every step of the way.
Like everyone else, I’m a bit confused on double fisted faith. I think it’s a struggle at first especially when there are so many circumstances that can make us question our faith however I’m trying to embrace it and trust that God’s plans are always bigger than my own.
I think when I was applying to transfer from community college to a 4 year college. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get into a school & it would delay my bachelors degree. However, I got into my dream school & God provided!
Father God, I pray that as I’m practicing what it means to be rooted in you, that my faith grows daily and keeps getting stronger. May I continue to trust you in all aspects of my life. You always provide with the unexpected. Your ways are higher and you know what is best.
I think the idea of double clench fist is to trust in God’s power while also trusting in God’s plan – believing that He can no doubt save us from any situation, but if he does not it is because His plan and purpose for us that is beyond what we can understand so we trust in him regardless. The time I had to hold on to God’s promises while uncertain of the outcome was when my company was closing our division and all the employees were told to find new job opportunities. I was interviewing all over the place and applying for work outside my field. It was a time of great uncertainty but I still felt at peace knowing God’s plan for me would be better than my plans and desires. Lord God, help to remember and trust in your goodness and have confidence that your plans and timing are perfect. Help me to know you work for the good of those who believe in You and that I can place my trust in You.