Guiding Light!Faith!Webster defines faith as, 1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, an idea, or a thing. 2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See Synonyms at trust. 3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters. 4. Often Faith. Theology. The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will. The Bible defines faith as Hebrews 11:1-3 1. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2. This is what the ancients were commended for. 3. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. When we have a close personal relationship with God we come to know the true meaning of faith. Satan will try and attack us from all areas of our life and hope to get us to question our faith. Look at what some of the Bible characters were accounted for as they lived their faith; Hebrews 11:4-11 4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. What an example of faith these Godly men portrayed, even though some were put in prison, ridiculed and stoned, they wandered in mountains and deserts and lived in caves and holes in the ground, but, they never lost their faith in God to do what He said He would do. How are we living our lives? Is it in total faith in God? Do we question God's ways and timing? Then let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Of all the Bible studies I have done there has been many different lessons on many different topics, but all in all they all come down to "Faith". Do we trust God for our all every moment of every day? We can start right now by going to God in prayer and asking him to enable us through the power of the Holy Spirit to show our obedience to our Heavenly Father by being faithful in all that we do. Heavenly Father, it is our prayer today that you will enable us with the power through the Holy Spirit to have the faith of a mustard seed. To believe in the power of your word without seeing but by faith! We thank you Father for your awesome display of your power and majesty as we look up each day to the sunshine, the mountains, the birds, and all that you have designed in nature for us to have and enjoy. We especially thank you Heavenly Father for the birth of your Son, in whom we are celebrating right now. What an awesome God you are, your grace is beyond compare and your love is unconditional. We sing songs of praise to you Daddy! In Jesus name we pray..........amen In Christ's Service, Kenny Millhouse kenny@guidinglightministry.com http://guidinglightministry.com This is a weekly service brought to you by Guiding Light Ministries, if you enjoy receiving these messages, please send us an email sharing your thoughts and words of encouragement. Feel free to pass these messages on to your friends and neighbors. If you need personal help in learning how to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, send us an email and we will contact you immediately. If you have received this devotion from a friend and would like to be added to our mailing list, reply with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line and we will gladly add you to our list. If at anytime you wish to be removed from our mailing list, reply with "REMOVE" in the subject line and we will immediately remove you. |