IMPACT Recap

FaithHopeSuffering

Recap

Wow, what an incredible message from Pastor Manny Arango about resilience, faith, and believing again after failure! Pastor Manny shared his deeply personal journey of struggling with infertility, experiencing a devastating miscarriage, and ultimately receiving a miracle child through perseverance and faith. Drawing from the biblical story of Peter walking on water, he powerfully illustrated that faith isn't just about initial courage, but about having the strength to get back up after sinking. Sometimes life throws us unexpected challenges that can make us want to retreat, but Pastor Manny reminds us that God is calling us to 'have faith again' - to trust, hope, and step out even after experiencing pain. His own testimony of going through IVF twice, losing a pregnancy during the pandemic, and ultimately receiving a miracle son is a testament to God's faithfulness. The most powerful moment? When he described his wife's perspective of being grateful for the nine weeks of pregnancy, showing that our attitude can transform our experience of setbacks. Pastor Manny's message isn't just about miraculous moments, but about the courage to believe and trust God's plan, even when it doesn't look like what we expected.

Main Points

  • God calls us to have faith even after experiencing failure
  • Failure doesn't define you, but how you respond to it does
  • Miracles require preparation and persistent faith

Verses Mentioned

  • Matthew 14:22-33 - "Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.' 'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'" (NIV)

Daily Action Plan

Monday

Scripture Reflection: Hebrews 11:1: 'Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.'

Focus Point: Understanding that faith requires trusting beyond what is visible

Action Plan: Reflect on an area of your life where you've given up hope. Write down what it would look like to approach this situation with renewed faith and hope.

Deep Prayer: Lord, renew my faith today. Help me to trust You even when I cannot see the way forward. Give me the courage to believe again.

Tuesday

Scripture Reflection: James 1:2-4: 'Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.'

Focus Point: Viewing challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth

Action Plan: Identify a past challenge that you initially saw as a setback. Journal about how that experience actually helped you grow stronger in your faith.

Deep Prayer: God, help me see my challenges through Your perspective. Transform my pain into purpose and my struggles into strength.