A WALK IN FAITH
I was reading Hebrews chapter 11 one day this week. This is an entire chapter devoted to FAITH. What is faith exactly? That very thing is addressed in verse 1.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Who is Right?
Have you ever heard the saying, “Seeing is believing?” I am sure most of you have heard that at one time or another. Faith is believing without seeing and for some that might be an impossible task. I read a devotional from Pastor Rick Warren where he was talking about how two people can experience the same thing but have a completely different outlook.
- In 1961, the Soviet Union sent the first cosmonaut into space. When the cosmonaut returned to Earth, the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev declared they’d been to space and didn’t see any god there.
- About 10 months later, the United States sent John Glenn into space. He circled the earth three times on his Mercury mission, came back down, and told the world, “I saw God everywhere! I saw his glory in the galaxy. I saw his splendor in the universe. I saw his majesty in the stars.”
Both men were right. They both saw what they wanted to see. One looked at the majesty before him and saw God’s work and the other saw darkness. One had faith and the other didn’t.
Acts of Faith:
In Hebrews 11 we are reminded of so many acts of faith. I have marveled many times at the faith of Abraham who took his son Isaac to be an offering to the Lord. I can’t imagine the torment that he must have been experiencing at the thought of sacrificing his child.
What about Noah? Can you imagine the thoughts that went through his mind? I can just hear what his friends or neighbors thought when he started to build a gigantic boat without a rain cloud in sight.
We know that Sara was at first skeptical when the Lord told her that she would bear a child after she was well past the childbearing age. Who could blame her? I am sure that she had prayed and prayed and prayed for a child but that prayer had never been answered. But, she was faithful and she believed in her heart that the Lord could deliver on his promise.
Can you imagine the faith it took to walk into the Red Sea even though the waters were parted? Can you imagine the faith it took to wipe blood on the door of your home for the Passover? Can you imagine the faith it took to fight the giant Goliath?
The Choice:
Everday we have a choice about faith. When the Lord tells us to do something and we obey that is an act of faith. The Bible is full of instructions such as love thy neighbor or obey your mother and father. Why, because He said so.
In Mark 11 it says,
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Have faith! Believe that it is already done! It will be yours! And remember Jeremiah 29:11, 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Have A Blessed Day!
Thank you for this message of Faith Tania. I love your blogs and your Sunday inspiration carries me thru the week. God Bless you and have a wonderful Sunday?
I once heard a priest say that faith is like a muscle. If you don’t exercise it, it will wither and die. Thank you for reminding me that I need to exercise my faith every day! Blessings on you and your family!
Lynn that’s a great reminder about faith. Thanks for sharing it.
Another good post, just when I needed it. I have a sister who was just diagnosed with late stage cancer. I am turning it over to God and just need to have faith that He will do what is best for her. Thy will be done…I must have said that a thousand times this week. Thanks, blessings to you today and everyday!
I am so sorry, Teresa. Thy will be done is the hardest prayer that I ever say. I am saying a prayer for you and your family during this trying time.
Thank you for this. Very well written and something I need today and everyday. God bless you and your family.
Tania, thank you for sharing Leah’sstory last week. One of the favorite parts of my job is getting to counsel and pray with people on the phone. A few days after I read your blog, an elderly woman in her 80’d called and the more she talked the more I realized that she was fearing death. She point-blank asked me, “What do you think it will be like?”Leah’s story came to mind. I asked the woman if she had ever had a dream so wonderful that you were sad (or upset!) when you woke up. She replied, “Yes”. I said, “Heaven will be like that dream and you won’t ever have to wake up.” The tone of her voice became filled with peace. Thanks, Tania, for sharing that story.
Tonya, Leah’s story touched me so much when I read it. I am glad that you were able to use it to help this lady. I believe we all are put in each other’s paths for a reason.
I always look forward to your Sunday posts! I got chills when I read the one from last weeek. Today’s post was a wonderful reminder of God’s faithfulness to us.
Wonderful read for the start of my week. Blessings to all.
Such a beautiful and timely post for me this morning as today marks the 10 year anniversary of my mother’s death. Thank you for sharing this with us this morning.
Love your Sunday posts! Last week’s was amazing but you followed up this week with another great one. Always prepares my heart and mind for church later today.
Thanks Tania, your Sunday’s post are so enlightening for me. Thanks for taking the time to right.