Apostolic Faith Tabernacle, 1440 W 9 Mile Road, Ferndale, MI (2026)

06/18/2026

Devotions With David

The Finisher Of Faith

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Yesterday we looked at the author and as promised today, we will look at Jesus as finisher. This particular Greek word that is translated finisher is only used here in this verse in the New Testament. It means one who brings something to completion, perfecter, completer and one who carries a work through to its intended goal.

This verse gives the implication of an architect and a builder. The architect may design the building, but the builder finishes the project down to its last detail. Jesus is both architect and builder, the author and the finisher of faith. As author Jesus began the work of faith at Calvary. As finisher, he completes the work.

The first verse of Hebrews 12 tells us we are running a race. It says “let us run the race with patience that is set for us”. When looking at this word finisher in this light, it helps us understand it’s meaning. This is a race that will not be complete until we make heaven, either through death or the second coming of Christ. So as we run this race, there are three things Jesus does for us.

He perfects our character. Our faith is not meant to remain immature. We need to adopt the character of Jesus. Peter would say in his first letter, that the trial of our faith… might be found on to praise and honor and glory. The way our faith is matured is by the trial of our faith. I said yesterday and I will say it again your best life does not mean an easy life. Trials, disappointment, victories, and blessings work together to strengthen and refine our faith.

We are promised victory in the end, but this doesn’t mean that there won’t be disappointment and trials along the way. Sometimes it may feel like you lose a battle. Forgive me for using a sports analogy, but good coaches will tell you that a team learns as much in a loss as they do in a win. Jesus is perfecting our character and sometimes that means we deal with loss. Don’t give up. Know that there is a victory coming.

The second thing Jesus does is he brings us through the race. One of my sons ran track. The coach was there to tell them when to run their hardest and when to run with patience. You can’t run a long distance in a sprint. When we think of Jesus bringing us through to completion, we can use this track coach analogy. The coach knows the course. He knows how many laps you have left even when you lose track. He’s there to tell you what you need to do. Jesus is going to bring you through the race. He’s standing as the proverbial track coach saying just a little further. We are almost done. Keep running the race because salvation is not complete until we stand in his presence in heaven.

The brings us to the third thing. Finishing means the work of salvation has been completed. Our goal is to hear the Lord say “well done”. That’s the ultimate completion. That’s the finish line we are all running toward. What began with believing will end with a glorified body in the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The finisher of our faith will not leave the work incomplete. As you run this race toward heaven, run with patience. Know that not only is he the author of your faith. He is also committed to finishing it.

When faith feels weak, when prayers seem unanswered, and the race seems difficult, remember, Jesus is still at work. He is leading us toward completion and the perfect end called heaven.

Have you become weary running this race? Has your patience run then waiting for heaven? No wonder Paul would say don’t be weary and well doing we will reap in due season if we faint not. If you’re becoming weary, then I would challenge you with the words of Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Be patient. Wait on the Lord. He will renew your strength and you will finish the race. As always if I can do anything for you reach out to me and I will do the best I can to help.

06/17/2026

Devotions With David

The Author Of Faith

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This is a verse that we use a lot. It tells us that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Today I want to look at the word author and tomorrow we will look at the word finisher.

The word author comes from a Greek word which means originator, founder, pioneer and captain or leader who goes before others. This puts a little different light on this verse. It’s not just that Jesus is writing a story, but he is the originator, the founder of our faith. This is why that the writer of Hebrews would say looking onto Jesus. The way that he originated faith was through Calvary. In fact, he tells us that he endured the cross despising the shame.

The first thing that’s important to know is that faith is not something we manufacture. Jesus is the originator and source of faith. Without God manifesting himself to us in flesh and dying on a cross, we would not have anything concrete to believe in. Faith began when God revealed himself to us. The way that faith is originated is through hearing and hearing by the word of God according to Romans 10:17. Jesus is the source of our faith. We choose whether we will believe or not. He calls us. It is up to us to respond and have a relationship with him.

This Greek word appears four times in the New Testament. The only time it is translated author is here in Hebrews 12. In Acts 3:15 and also Acts 5:31, this word is translated prince. In Acts 3 it is the prince of life and in Acts 5 it is prince and Savior. You can see the broader picture here. It’s not just Jesus writing a story. It is Jesus being the prince and Savior of our life. What kind of story will Jesus write with your life? Since he is the prince, source and leader of life, your best life comes through faith.

Don’t get best life confused with easy life. Sometimes we think our best life is just an easy one but that is simply not true. Without hardships, we wouldn’t need to look to Jesus. You don’t need someone to be your leader and deliver if you never need to be delivered from anything.

The last place this Greek word is used as Hebrews 2:10. It says to make the captain of their salvation, perfect through suffering. Jesus suffered so that he could show us the perfect way. This is the picture of a leader who goes before others either into battle or on a journey. Jesus was the one who blazed the trail through suffering, death and resurrection leading many to glory.

So the picture we have here is one who goes before others, opens the way, leads to the goal, and is the source or founder of faith. This spoke to me today because it’s so much more than just writing a story. He is taking us along on his story. He’s preparing us for the place that he has prepared according to John 14.

The progression goes something like this: the same one who gives life, provides salvation, and reigns as prince. He is also the one who leads us in faith. He never asks us to go anywhere He has not already gone. He is the pioneer. He has walked the path before us and will lead us safely to that place He has prepared. This doesn’t mean that life will always be easy. It means that the author, the captain will be there with us as we walk through whatever life brings.

Are you trusting him fully today? Will you let him write the story of faith in your life? Trusting God is not always easy but it is always right. Let him take you to places you have never been before. He will show you great things when you let him. As always, if I can do anything for you reach out to me and I will do the best I can to help.

06/16/2026

Devotions With David

Overcoming Faith

1 John 5:4 (KJV)
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

We’ve talked about faith for the last 15 days. By now, I hope you understand that faith is not just believing God exist. It is trusting him enough to keep moving forward even when obstacles are in the way. John tells us that the victory we have over the world is our faith. The three enemies of our soul are our own flesh, the world around us and of course Satan. The weapon God has given you to overcome these three things is faith.

In order to overcome, you must know the one you in whom you have believed. Overcoming faith begins with knowing God. That’s what Paul said in 2 Timothy 1:12. “I know whom I have believed, and and persuaded that he is able…“ When you know, in whom you have believed, it gives you confidence in God, not in your own abilities. The more you know his faithfulness, his power and his love, the easier it becomes to trust him. Remember what God has done for you.

Don’t forget to read the Bible. This is a reoccurring theme for me I know and maybe I dwell on it too much because you were reading this devotion. I want to remind you that it is his Word that faith comes from hearing. Faith grows when we consistently read, study, hear and meditate on scripture. When you read of the men and women of faith, it will strengthen your confidence when trials come.

To have overcoming faith, you have to act on what you believe. When you believe God has spoken to you, you have to act on it. Sometimes it’s just doing what you know is right. In the story of David and Goliath there is no moment where God speaks to David and says go fight the giant. What we find instead is David saying “Is there not a cause“. He saw what was needed and believed God would do it. Forgive me for being so direct today, but maybe you need to stop waiting on a visitation from God and do what you know needs to be done. Is there a giant that everyone’s hiding from that you can go and fight?

David remembered God‘s faithfulness. He told Saul I’ve already defeated a lion and a bear, and God will give this uncircumcised Philistine into my hand as well (1Samuel 17). When the challenge arises, remember God has the power to overcome because of what he’s already done. Be like David and remember what God has done for you, maybe when no one was watching.

Don’t allow circumstances to define faith’s reality. No one else thought David could do it, but his faith saw the giant fall. In the story of the 12 spies in Numbers 13, Joshua and Caleb were not blind to the circumstances of Giants being in the land. They just saw God’s promise as greater than the circumstances. 40 years later, Caleb still said give me the mountain God promised me.

Overcoming faith persevere through delays. It was not Caleb‘s fault. He and Joshua had the faith to take the promised land the first time they went in as spies. Sometimes you have the faith but because of circumstances beyond your control, you have to wait. I’m glad that Caleb endured. God gave him the mountain even though it was 40 years later than it should’ve been. Don’t allow delays to diminish your faith. Daniel prayed for 21 days before the angel arrived. The angel said God heard you the first time you prayed, but I had to fight the Prince and power of the air to get to you. You may have to persevere through things that are not your fault. Just don’t quit. God wants you to overcome.

Keep your eyes on what has been promised. We use Peter walking on the water for keeping your eyes on Jesus, but there are others. Abraham was a friend of God and walked with God when he didn’t know where he was going. Jacob held on and wrestled until the breaking of day for his blessing. Don’t allow distractions to take your eye off of what God has promised. It may take some time for it to happen, but God is will see to it that you overcome.

Every believer will face battles, but remember what John said, the victory is our faith. Your faith is going to overcome because it rests in God‘s ability and faithfulness, not your own. Remember the same God that brought Israel through the Red Sea, delivered Daniel from the Lions den, kept the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace and worked in the lives of all of those in Hebrews 11 is still working for you today. Don’t lose sight of that.

Here’s my challenge for you: face the challenge in your life with overcoming faith. Focus on the greatness of God instead of the size of the problem. Act in faith. This is what will help you have overcoming faith. Accept the challenge. Faith is your victory. As always if I can do anything for you reach out to me and I will do the best I can to help.

06/15/2026

Devotions With David

Dead Faith

James 2:17 (KJV)
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

This is the first of three times James makes this statement in this chapter. This time is a statement. In verse 20 it is a question. “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” then in the last verse of the chapter, he says, For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James is addressing the problem of professing faith while showing no evidence of it. He is saying faith that doesn’t affect conduct isn’t biblical faith. He asks us in verse 14, if a man says he has faith, but has no works, can he be saved? He has addressed the fact that we must be doers of the word and not hearers only in chapter 1. He addressed a problem that we have today as well. There were believers that thought correct doctrine alone was sufficient and James challenges this by telling them without obedience this faith is incomplete. In other words, it doesn’t matter how much I know, or if I am right, it matters if I respond in obedience to faith.

When he uses Abraham as an example, he says that his faith was made perfect by works. Not that his works saved him, but it was believing God knew what was best and so he took Isaac to worship. I find it interesting that the first time the word worship is used is when it talks about Isaac and Abraham going up the mountain. It wasn’t the works that saved Abraham. It was the obedience of doing what God said. Are you being obedient to what you see in the word of God?

Belief or faith is not enough. James uses the example that the devils believe in one God and tremble. This teaches us that if we only have intellectual belief, we are no better off than the demon who is doomed to eternal punishment. Remember that saving faith involves trust, surrender, and obedience. It is not just professing with my mouth. It’s putting action with that profession. Demons know who God is, but they do not surrender or submit to him.

If you have dead, faith, it can give you a false assurance. You may feel like you are spiritually healthy because you know, scripture, attend services or identify as a believer. James exposes this danger. Notice James doesn’t say weak faith. He says dead faith. Is faith that never acts faith at all? If it never obey, loves, serves or causes change, is it faith? We must realize that faith without works is not just weak faith it is dead faith.

If you’re reading this and you are questioning whether your faith is dead, let me ask: Are you putting faith into action? Have you found yourself hearing the Word but not responding to it? Do you move toward the front when the Pastor is done preaching and asks for a response? I believe faith can die when we don’t exercise it. It starts small. It starts with delay and before we know it we are being disobedient. Don’t allow your faith that was once strong to die. Today you may not need new revelation you might need to just do what God has already told you. Ask yourself “what has God already told me to do?” if you know, there is something you haven’t done, start there.

If you realize that your faith is dying or already dead, take time to repent of the spiritual neglect. Sometimes our faith becomes lifeless because we compromise, become distracted, or we leave sin unconfessed. In Revelation 2, the church in Ephesus is told to remember, repent and return to their first works. These are the steps we need to take as well. Remember the time when faith was alive. Repent for allowing it to die. Then return and put faith into action again.

When we are connected to the body of Christ, our faith is strengthened through fellowship, worship, and encouragement. When we are isolated, it causes faith to be weakened. If you are not connected to a church, I would suggest you get connected. That can help revive your faith.

If your faith has died, it can come alive again when you move from profession to practice. Living faith says because I believe I will obey. Start with a small obedience. If you’ve gotten away from attending church start there. It will be difficult at first, but find a community that loves you. They will support you as you reconnect your faith to action. Read the words of James and understand that faith without works, becomes empty religion. I want a living faith. And the only way to have it is to put it into action. James tells us real faith is visible faith. Living faith always leaves footprints. My challenge for us today is to leave faith footprints through good work. As always if I can do anything for you reach out to me and I will do the best I can to help.

06/14/2026

Join us for Worship and the Word with Pastor David McCool

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06/14/2026

Devotions With David

Keeping Faith

2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

There are two areas of “keeping faith” I want to address today. We will begin with this verse where the apostle Paul says I have done all I was called to do, and I have kept the faith. He was not boasting of all the things that he accomplished while starting churches. He did not boast about all of the letters he had written to those churches. The thing he boasted about was that he kept the faith. What does it mean for us to keep the faith?

Keeping the faith means remaining loyal to God when life is difficult. It means trusting him when prayers seem unanswered. It means obeying even when obedience is costly. It is following Jesus when others turn away. This is not a momentary decision. Keeping the faith is a lifelong commitment. We know that Paul’s life was riddled with persecution, separation and at times isolation. The enemy attacks faith because it connects us to God. When the enemy brings discouragement, delay, disappointment, or temptation, it can cause us to want to give up the faith. Keeping the faith means refusing to let go of God in these moments.

Keeping the faith means we continue to pray, worship, trust, follow and obey when the path is unclear and seemingly difficult. It means remaining faithful when we face questions, trials and weariness. The enemy tries to make us weary. Paul spoke to this when he said “don’t be weary in well doing, you will reap in due season if you faint not“. Paul’s goal was for us to finish the way he finish, faithfully.

The second part of keeping faith is found in 1Peter 1:5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

This verse reminds us that God keeps us as well. Keeping faith is God’s power working in us. Peter reminds us that God’s power is the source of our preservation and faith is the channel it works through. We have talked about this in other devotions, but I feel to remind you again today, that faith is trusting God’s character when circumstances are confusing. As long as our faith is anchored in him, we are in his keeping power.

The story of Job lets us know that God was protecting Job’s life. I think this story is in the Bible to let us know that regardless of what we face God has the last say over our life. God will keep you if you remain faithful.

Let me remind you that trials do not mean that God has abandoned us. In fact, Peter tells us that it’s during our suffering that we are being kept by God‘s power. The difficulties these saints were facing, were not evidence of God‘s absence but opportunities for their faith to be strengthened and proven genuine.

Every day will present you with opportunities to trust God or trust your fears. When we choose faith, we allow God to keep us by his preserving power. He will keep us through temptation, disappointment, suffering, and bring us to the place he’s prepared for us, if we keep the faith. That’s what activates God keeping power.

Let me encourage you today to keep believing, keep praying, keep trusting and obeying because the God that called you is the God that will keep you.

Be encouraged. Let the knowledge that God is keeping you encourage you today. If there are fears and worries, competing with your trust in God, decide that you’re not giving in to anxiety. What practical steps can you take to strengthen or keep your faith today? Sometimes it’s a simple as making the statement I will not lose faith. I am keeping it. Other times it is operating in spite of fear and doing what God has asked. Allow the power of God to keep you through faith. That’s ultimately how we’re going to make it to heaven, by keeping faith. Keep operating in that avenue of faith. As always if I can do anything for you reach out to me and I’ll do the best I can to help.

06/13/2026

Devotions With David

Tried Faith

1 Peter 1:7 (KJV)
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

We have talked about strong, growing, sincere, and great faith. Today I want to look at what makes faith become these things. The way faith grows it through the trying or testing of our faith. Faith get stronger as we use it. We want strong faith, but many shy away from the process that produces strong faith. Strong faith is not produced on the mountain top or in the blessing. Strong faith is produced in the furnace or in the trial.

When you think of those in scripture who have great faith, who do you think of? Here some of my favorites.

Abraham waited for his son, then was asked to offer him as a sacrifice.

Job lost everything and still said “even if God kills me I will still trust him”.

Daniel faced the lions den for praying yet he continued to pray three times a day.

The three Hebrew boys made the declaration, while facing the fiery furnace, “God can deliver us, but if he doesn’t, we’re still not bowing to your idol”.

Noah built an ark have never seen rain.

Hannah, prayed for a child and continued even when Eli the priest called her drunk.

The early Church and the apostles facing persecution and even death.

All of these lived out the trying of their faith. In order for your faith to be strong, it must be tested. In the test, we discover God‘s faithfulness through the storm, his presence in the valley and his strength in our weakness. Trials do not create God’s faithfulness, they reveal it.

In the verse we used today Peter talks about gold being tried with fire. When you have a few minutes, Google the process. Gold is heated to the point it becomes liquid. All of the impurities come to the top where they can be skimmed off the top. This is the picture of our faith being tried. In order for our faith to become stronger it needs to be tried. I would say faith isn’t faith until you have to use it.

The question then is: how is our faith tried?

Our faith has tried by:
Delay.
When the promise has been given, and you don’t receive it right away, will you trust God‘s timing?

Difficulties.
When trusting in God makes things worse instead of better. When Moses went to Pharaoh, it caused an increase in Israel’s burden. Jesus would say in this world you will have tribulation. Will you trust God when obedience makes life harder instead of easier?

Unanswered questions.
Sometimes God doesn’t explain what he’s doing. Job loses everything and God never tells him why. Will you trust God when you don’t understand?

Suffering.
This can either strengthen faith or destroy it, depending on our response. Hebrews 11 tells us there were those that endured hardship, persecution, imprisonment, and even death. Will you continue believing in God’s goodness when life hurts?

Obedience.
Abraham was told to leave home, go somewhere God would show him and after waiting for Isaac to be born he was told to take him and offer him as a sacrifice. Those with great faith had their faith tried through obedience. Will we obey before we see the outcome?

Temptation.
There will always be the pull to do the opposite of what God asks. Paul would say Demas left him, loving this present world. There will always be an easier path, a more glamorous way and a shortcut. Will we obey God when another path seems easier?

Faith is tried when what we see seems to contradict what God has said, and we must choose which one we will believe.

What are you dealing with today? Is it trying to make your faith stronger? Many times the things we deal with in life are not to destroy us, there to make us stronger in the Lord. Are there things that are testing your faith today? Will you continue to trust even through the difficulties?

When you are going through the test ask yourself “how has God proven himself faithful in the past?”. Look for the lesson in the trial. Let it make you stronger. Learn to trust God’s power and his strength. Look for the way of escape. That’s what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) …but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. When things are difficult look for the way he has made for you to escape.

Remember the trying of your faith is not to destroy you. It is to make you stronger. Learn to trust God’s heart. He loves you and wants you to become stronger. As always, if I can do anything for you reach out to me and I will do the best I can to help.

06/12/2026

Devotions With David

Strong Faith

Romans 4:20 (KJV)
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Strong faith is faith that endures. Faith does not become strong in an instant, it is built by remaining firm despite impossible circumstances. The entire chapter of Romans 4 is about Abraham. Verse 19 tells us the circumstances of their situation did not cause his faith to weaken. Strong faith only comes through believing when everything looks impossible. Faith is strengthened by waiting and testing.

When we think about faith many times it is believing in the moment. We need a miracle and so faith becomes high. Abraham’s faith was strengthened throughout his life. He was promised a land that God would show him. He was promised a son that did not come right away. Then he was asked to give that son back to God on an altar of sacrifice. Abraham continued believing, even though he never settled down in the promised land. His faith remain strong, even when he only had eight sons when he died. Jacob was about 15 years old when Abraham died. He never got to see the 12 sons that became the tribes of Israel.

Every passing year seem to contradict what God promised, yet Abraham never lost faith. Through the moments of uncertainty and doubt he never abandoned his trust in God. Instead of allowing his circumstances to weaken his faith, he held onto God’s promise, and his faith was strengthened. From Abraham, we learned that strong faith is not the absence of obstacles, but it is choosing to trust God despite them. The verse we read says he “staggered not” at the promise of God. Instead, he gave glory to God while waiting. His confidence was in God and his ability to fulfill the promise.

Many times we want instant faith, but strong faith develops in the waiting. Every year Sarah did not become pregnant with another opportunity to trust that God had it in control. Instead of it making him weak it made him strong. There are four things we can learn from Abraham in Romans 4.

Strong faith trust God‘s promise above circumstances.
Verse 18. Tells us he believed in hope, when everything seemed to be against him. Hope was all but lost yet Abraham still stood firm.

2. Strong faith grows through waiting.
This was not wasted time. It was time that Abraham spent trusting God in spite of his circumstances. Don’t let unbelief push faith out. Continue to believe against Hope and watch your faith grow.

3. Strong faith praises while waiting.
Verse 20 tells us he gave glory to God. If you want your faith to become stronger, learn to praise in the absence of results. Praise will help your faith grow strong.

4. Strong faith is persuaded faith.
Verse 21 tells us that Abraham was fully persuaded that God was able to perform. His faith rested in God‘s ability, not in God‘s guarantee. When he didn’t see it, he held onto faith. I believe this was the reason he was said to be strong in faith. He kept believing that God would do it, even if it happened after he died.

The Bible is full of people who are strong in faith.

Job’s faith remained strong to the point that he said if God kills me, I’m still going to trust him.

Daniel prayed even with the decree forbade it. He continued three times a day, even with the threat of the Lions den looming.

The three Hebrew boys didn’t debate whether or not they would stand or bow. They had already decided. Their faith was not dependent on whether God delivered them or not. They said “God is able to deliver us, but if he doesn’t, we still will not bow to your idol“.

Moses had faith that was built over time. He was reluctant to respond to the call of God and yet he became strong when the people spoke against him. The journey was long, but his faith remained strong.

Hannah prayed for a child while enduring the pain of bitterness and the ridicule of those around her. Choose God instead of bitterness. When Samuel was born, she declared “for this child I prayed”.

Paul is the last one I will mention today. When you look at his life, it was full of imprisonment, beating, shipwreck and persecution. Yet at the end of his life, he said I have fought a good fight. I finished my course. I have kept the faith. Finish what you start. That’s when faith is strong.

James wrote and said the trying of your faith works patience. Faith becomes strong when it continues to trust God through delays, difficulties, disappointments, and decisions that may not go your way. If you want strong faith, you have to endure. There is no secret formula. You have to do what these that we have mentioned did. Remain faithful through adversity.

Where do you find yourself in these men and women? Wherever it is strong faith will help you endure. Let your faith become stronger through the waiting. As always if I can do anything for you reach out to me and I would do the best I can to help.

Apostolic Faith Tabernacle

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