SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 11:17-22 (NRSV)
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob act on faith
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom he had been told, "It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you." He considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead - and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, "bowing in worship over the top of his staff." By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his burial.
DEVOTION
Today’s Bible reading is all about the importance of faith. Hebrews 11:1 says that “faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.”
In each of the examples mentioned today, someone did the extraordinary by faith.
Now you may be thinking, I can’t do anything extraordinary; I’m as ordinary as they come!
But, I want to give you a word of encouragement today. Our God specializes in using ordinary and obedient people to do extraordinary things!
Now, it may be true that we need to amend our definition of extraordinary. It seems to me that in order to reach our God given potential, many of us need to realize that we do—and witness--incredible acts of ministry (e.g., service) on an everyday basis, but simply ignore or take them for granted.
For example, it is an extraordinary ministry for a single Christian woman to get on her knees every night and pray—by faith—to do right by her children as she raises them alone. It is an extraordinary ministry for a school teacher to go into the classroom day after day—by faith—and believe that s/he has the ability to make a difference in the lives of the children no matter how poorly they behave. It is an extraordinary ministry when a small band of 35-50 people work together in the local church—by faith—serving the community with meager funds, but great big hearts.
No matter who we are, where we live, how much money we make, or what type of resources we have, we absolutely do have the ability to do extraordinary things for God—by faith—if we will but put all of our hope in Jesus.
Now, here’s the hard part my friends. Sometimes God does ask us walk by faith and not by sight. God will call us to enlarge our hopes and dreams reminding us to dream big, because we serve a big God!
One of my Facebook friends said that if we only aspire to things that are possible for us to accomplish by ourselves, we don’t need God. But, if we dream big and impossible dreams that only God could accomplish through us that requires faith!
I don’t know about you, but I want to live into a life of faith my friends! I want to dream such big and extraordinary dreams that the people around me laugh at my audacity. I want someone to tell me how impossible and improbable my dream is, and then I want to sit back and watch God prove them wrong.
When we allow God to be our dream weaver, we will get on one accord with Spirit. We will begin to pray, “Not my will, but Thy will be done.”
We will be willing to walk into the darkness, unable to see, but without fear, trusting that our good God will safely shepherd us home. And as we journey, we will be compelled to share the love, joy, and peace of Spirit everywhere we go and in Jesus’ Name!
Dear ones, it is time to stop living beneath our God-given potential and destiny. Remember, without faith it is impossible to please God!
What dream will you entrust to God by faith today? Let us pray…
Holy God, I know that I can do great things, because you are a great God! Help me to be unafraid to trust Your vision for my life and ministry to others. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I will be able to walk by faith and not by sight as I do Your will on Earth until you come from Heaven. I believe—by faith—that you love me and gave Jesus to die to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life. It is wonderful good news that he did not stay dead, but was resurrected just as He promised! I want to share this good news with others all the days of my life. Please help me to do just that in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Showing posts with label hebrews 11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hebrews 11. Show all posts
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
I BELIEVE!
SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 11:4-7 (NRSV)
Without faith no one can please God
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’s scripture reminds us of the importance of faith. I love the definition of faith found in Hebrews 11:1 which states, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.”
Now, none of us has ever been to heaven. We have not seen the beauty of the river of life, or beheld the mystery of the “wheel in the middle of a wheel.” We have not seen gates made out of pearls or streets paved with gold. We have not joined the elders’ chorus, nor joined in the songs of praise to God who sits upon the throne.
However, by faith, we believe that we will behold all of these wonderful and mysterious things! Although we have not seen this place, which is our final destination as Christians, we believe by faith that God is as good as God’s Word!
Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a human being, that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind. Has he promised, and will he not do it? Has he spoken, and will he not fulfil it?”
God has promised that when we put all of our faith in Jesus, we are promised forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life.
Christians are not naïve suckers who will believe anything; that is not faith! Faith is putting our hope and our faith in The One who has proved faithful and trustworthy--time and time again.
Faith means that you examine your life experiences with God and find that God is always true. God said that God will supply all of your needs, and God did (Philippians 4:19)! God promised that God would never leave you nor forsake you and God hasn’t (Joshua 1:5)! God said that God would keep us safe when the storms of life are raging, and God has (Mark 4:39-30)! God said that God loves us so much that God wants to be with us forever, and God proved it when Jesus went to the cross (John 3:16)!
Faith is not silly naivety. Faith is the blessed assurance that God will make good on all of God’s promises!
When we possess faith, we please God. When we believe in God’s promises, it makes God feel good. When we live into the hope that God will do what God said God would do, we are set free!
As we trust that God exists and will reward those who seek God; we can peacefully await that great day when we will step out of time and into eternity!
Hallelujah! Won’t that be a great day?! When all of our faith is rewarded, all of God’s promises are fulfilled, and we get to see it all come to pass with our very own eyes!
Until that “great getting up morning” we must live in faith, sure and very sure that God has never--and will never--lie to us.
God loves us! God gave Jesus to die for us! God has saved us from our sin and gifted us with eternal life!
Live in faith my friends! In due time all of God’s promises will be manifested in your life and/or in the life to come…
Now, ain’ta that GOOD NEWS?!
Dear God, today I want to put all of my faith in you. I don’t believe that you are a liar. I do believe that you will do what you said you would do. You said that you love me; so you do. You said that you will forgive me; so you will. Please forgive me of my sins and fill me with the Holy Spirit. I want to be in right relationship with you forever and ever! I love you. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!
Next steps: In response to what God did for you just now, let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! You are already saved; now let God mature you by faith! Congratulations!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to the people who have recently put all of their hope in Jesus! We celebrate your re-birth-day and promise to hold you in our prayers!
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
Hebrews 11:4-7 (NRSV)
Without faith no one can please God
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’s scripture reminds us of the importance of faith. I love the definition of faith found in Hebrews 11:1 which states, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.”
Now, none of us has ever been to heaven. We have not seen the beauty of the river of life, or beheld the mystery of the “wheel in the middle of a wheel.” We have not seen gates made out of pearls or streets paved with gold. We have not joined the elders’ chorus, nor joined in the songs of praise to God who sits upon the throne.
However, by faith, we believe that we will behold all of these wonderful and mysterious things! Although we have not seen this place, which is our final destination as Christians, we believe by faith that God is as good as God’s Word!
Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a human being, that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind. Has he promised, and will he not do it? Has he spoken, and will he not fulfil it?”
God has promised that when we put all of our faith in Jesus, we are promised forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life.
Christians are not naïve suckers who will believe anything; that is not faith! Faith is putting our hope and our faith in The One who has proved faithful and trustworthy--time and time again.
Faith means that you examine your life experiences with God and find that God is always true. God said that God will supply all of your needs, and God did (Philippians 4:19)! God promised that God would never leave you nor forsake you and God hasn’t (Joshua 1:5)! God said that God would keep us safe when the storms of life are raging, and God has (Mark 4:39-30)! God said that God loves us so much that God wants to be with us forever, and God proved it when Jesus went to the cross (John 3:16)!
Faith is not silly naivety. Faith is the blessed assurance that God will make good on all of God’s promises!
When we possess faith, we please God. When we believe in God’s promises, it makes God feel good. When we live into the hope that God will do what God said God would do, we are set free!
As we trust that God exists and will reward those who seek God; we can peacefully await that great day when we will step out of time and into eternity!
Hallelujah! Won’t that be a great day?! When all of our faith is rewarded, all of God’s promises are fulfilled, and we get to see it all come to pass with our very own eyes!
Until that “great getting up morning” we must live in faith, sure and very sure that God has never--and will never--lie to us.
God loves us! God gave Jesus to die for us! God has saved us from our sin and gifted us with eternal life!
Live in faith my friends! In due time all of God’s promises will be manifested in your life and/or in the life to come…
Now, ain’ta that GOOD NEWS?!
Dear God, today I want to put all of my faith in you. I don’t believe that you are a liar. I do believe that you will do what you said you would do. You said that you love me; so you do. You said that you will forgive me; so you will. Please forgive me of my sins and fill me with the Holy Spirit. I want to be in right relationship with you forever and ever! I love you. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!
Next steps: In response to what God did for you just now, let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! You are already saved; now let God mature you by faith! Congratulations!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to the people who have recently put all of their hope in Jesus! We celebrate your re-birth-day and promise to hold you in our prayers!
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
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