Friday, November 26, 2010

In Faith!

SCRIPTURE

Hebrews 11:1 7 (NRSV)

Noah acts in faith

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain's. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and "he was not found, because God had taken him." For it was attested before he was taken away that "he had pleased God." And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.


DEVOTION

Today, I am struck by the words, "
without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

It occurs to me that to do anything pleasing in God's sight, we are invited to exercise our faith!

We are called to pray in faith, believing that God's will can--and does--catch up to us every time!

We are called to live in faith, choosing to love God and neighbor as ourselves!

We are called to serve in faith, believing that faith, without works is dead!

We don't answer the call to do any of these things in order to purchase our salvation; rather, we do these things because our hearts are so full of gratitude because our salvation has already been "purchased" by Jesus' shed blood upon the cross!

We can't make God loves us; but, God already does. We can't make God save us; but, God already has. We can't make God gift us with eternity; but, it has already been done because God's love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life!

Now, ain'ta that good news?!

Walk in faith, beloved of God...


Let us pray: Wow, God! You are awesome. I truly believe with all of my heart that you love me and gave Jesus to die on the cross to make atonement for my sin and gift me with eternal life. Because I believe this, I desire to love you and my neighbors, as myself. Please help me to walk in love and to share this good news. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

INVITATION


If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta

No comments:

Post a Comment