July 8 — "Faith That Leans In"

Today's Reading: Acts 14

When others see your faith in action, it can inspire bold moves of God in their lives.

Take Acts 14: Paul is preaching in Lystra when he spots a man who’s never taken a single step. But Paul doesn’t just see his condition—he sees something deeper. This man isn’t distracted or disengaged; he’s locked in, eyes fixed, body leaning forward, heart quietly roaring—with faith. His posture, his eagerness, his very presence screamed, “I believe God can do the impossible.” And Paul? He didn’t hesitate. He declared, “Stand upright on your feet!” In that instant, the man jumped up and walked like he’d been doing it all his life.

Here’s the wild truth: faith shows. It’s not just a thought we keep tucked in our hearts or a feeling we hide behind polite nods in church. It reveals itself—in how we lean in, how we listen, how we carry ourselves when the odds are stacked sky-high. It flickers in our eyes, echoes in our voices, and rises up in our response to God’s Word. Genuine faith is impossible to miss.

Picture this: a child in front of a birthday cake, candles blazing. The whole room pauses. Nobody has to tell him what to do—he’s already leaning in, eyes lit with expectation, lungs loading up for that magical puff. That kind of expectancy—that wide-eyed, “this is it” anticipation—is what Paul saw in the crippled man. It wasn’t noise. It was readiness. It was faith! And it pulled heaven’s power to earth.

So here’s the question: Can people see your faith? Are you leaning into God’s promises like they’re rock-solid truths? Because guess what? They are. Your faith might be the very nudge someone else needs to rise, speak, hope, or heal. You never know who’s quietly watching your joy, your peace, your quiet confidence in the storm.

Don’t stash your faith away. Let it radiate—in your listening, your loving, your living. Let it hum with expectancy and glow with trust. Because your visible faith might just be someone else’s open door to healing, hope, and salvation.

May the Lord make your faith shine so brightly it stirs hearts to believe. May your expectancy light up dark places. May your trust become a beacon that draws others to His power and grace.