Thursday, February 17, 2022
"who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect." Hebrews 11: 33-39
Hebrews 11 is one of the most inspiring chapters in the Bible. If there is one passage that opens our minds to faith possibilities, it is this one. The recurring, "by faith," phrase is like an electrical jolt, further charging and filling our own faith with energy.
All that we read is not positive. We quickly move from conquest, miracles, and resurrection to torture, persecution, and poverty. Faith victories intermingle with faith endurance. Sometimes faith appears to be failure, but we must never lose sight of the all-important definition of faith: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" Hebrews 11:1. Faith exposes the hidden reality and ultimate victory to those who see with it.
There is unfinished faith business: "all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect." The "faith project" is brought to completion for all on the same day. None have "gone to their reward," or received their reward yet. It is a future collective event and celebration.
Today is another faith journey for us all. The true reality will remain hidden to all but those seeing with faith. Through faith we may see tangle results and success today, but faith may instead be the force that drives us through hardship and opposition. Faith may not be cause for celebration today, but rather fuel the sheer ability to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
"Faith it" today, dear friend. Know that God's stamp of approval rests on you as you walk by faith. One day faith truly will be sight, and on that day we will have not regret walking by faith. Keep on; the end of the faith journey just might be closer than we realize.
Pastor Steve
"who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect." Hebrews 11: 33-39
Hebrews 11 is one of the most inspiring chapters in the Bible. If there is one passage that opens our minds to faith possibilities, it is this one. The recurring, "by faith," phrase is like an electrical jolt, further charging and filling our own faith with energy.
All that we read is not positive. We quickly move from conquest, miracles, and resurrection to torture, persecution, and poverty. Faith victories intermingle with faith endurance. Sometimes faith appears to be failure, but we must never lose sight of the all-important definition of faith: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" Hebrews 11:1. Faith exposes the hidden reality and ultimate victory to those who see with it.
There is unfinished faith business: "all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect." The "faith project" is brought to completion for all on the same day. None have "gone to their reward," or received their reward yet. It is a future collective event and celebration.
Today is another faith journey for us all. The true reality will remain hidden to all but those seeing with faith. Through faith we may see tangle results and success today, but faith may instead be the force that drives us through hardship and opposition. Faith may not be cause for celebration today, but rather fuel the sheer ability to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
"Faith it" today, dear friend. Know that God's stamp of approval rests on you as you walk by faith. One day faith truly will be sight, and on that day we will have not regret walking by faith. Keep on; the end of the faith journey just might be closer than we realize.
Pastor Steve