On Valentine’s Day, 2013, I published a blog entitled Supersize Your Faith. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, God led me to challenge friends and readers to super size their faith during the month of March. I encouraged fellow believers to expand their reading of the Bible, ramp up prayer lives and become an active participant within church. As the sun has set on the month of March, this Easter evening, its time to size up for my faith.
Beginning, March 1st, I attempted to read 3 chapters of the Bible per day. While I didn’t hit my goal every day, God allowed me to finish Habakkuk – Malachi, the gospel of Mark, half of John and 31 Psalms. Most of my days began with a Psalm, serving as my outline for morning prayer and providing direction for the prayer journal that I kept. Although, my overall prayer life hasn’t changed, God’s response to recent prayers did.
For example, as I reflect upon the last 9 days, I can see the hand of God providing for me within 24 hours of my heart felt cries for help. First, God gave me clarity through a series of interviews, closed one door while opening another and during a 3 day stretch answered me exactly as I requested with a job, desire to finish my movie and a 40 hour work week. I even laid hands on my cat, who had a 2 inch hole near her back and within a few days this area was healed. Before praying, this hole grew larger day after day.
My greatest failure, where I need to most work in the future was being more active in my church community. Initially, I had contacted a friend about starting up a small group Bible Study, but I didn’t follow up so this good idea faded away. Meanwhile, I didn’t possess a servant’s heart, often rushing out of church or I found excuses to rationalize my lack of action. The only fruit I bore in this area was coming up an idea of an Easter Egg hunt on March 30th to reach out to T-ball children and families of the Greater Newark Baseball League, where I have coached the past 3 seasons. Thankfully, my wife coordinated this event with Pastor Matt of Overflow, leading to a successful day, impacting many who attended this special event.
Like the 40 day challenged introduced in the film Fireproof, Super sizing your faith should never end. When Kirk Cameron’s character, Captain Caleb began this series of tasks, little progress was made. However, as soon as Caleb changed his attitude, his life was transformed from the inside out. Therefore, don’t give up hope if you are feeling defeated. Ask the Holy Spirit, 2 Timothy 1:7 for extra help to better understand the Bible, develop an intimate prayer life and leave a legacy for Christ in your community. Rise up with the risen Savior!
by Jay Mankus
