Jesus The Author And Perfecter Of Faith

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) - "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." Jesus is the initiator and finisher of our faith. If there was ever a time that we need to keep our eyes on Jesus, it is now. As we face the difficult challenges of our days, we are encouraged by the endurance of Jesus when He had to face the cross. In the same way that Jesus persevered by looking past the suffering to the joyful reward we too must forget what is behind and reach for what lies ahead and press on in faith. Keep your eyes on the prize. That is also what all the heroes of faith did. It's our turn now to lift up our eyes and keep our hearts and affections on Jesus. The first part of Hebrews 12:2 in the AMP Bible reads: "Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]." Keep the faith!

Four By Faith

As the month of March winds down, I want to share on of my favorite faith accounts in the New Testament. Mark 2:1-10 (NIV) - A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" This is so good. Did you notice that Jesus saw the faith of the four friends and the extent that they would go through for their friend that was in need. (I wonder who paid for the roof repair?) The story speaks for itself, but, I just want to encourage you to be bold in exercising your faith on behalf of someone that you know has need and bring them to Jesus. Be a blessing and be blessed!

Moses + Faith - Pt. 3

Hebrews 11:28 makes one more comment concerning Moses and how he led God's people out of captivity in Egypt. It started by him confronting Pharaoh to let God's people go, the plagues, and then ended with the instructions for Passover. "By faith he (Moses) kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel." God gives him precise instructions on how to save the firstborn of Israel and in doing so deliver the people from slavery. It took faith to follow the detailed orders leading to their liberation in the same way that it takes faith to follow God's instructions for us today. Sometimes what God asks from us does not make sense but by faith we trust and obey. The passover lamb serves to remind us how Jesus was the Lamb of God slain for our sins and how His blood applied to our lives delivers us from destruction today. Thank God for the blood that was shed for our salvation. Now when we celebrate communion we remember the body of Jesus that was broken for us and His blood that was shed for our forgiveness.

Moses + Faith - Pt. 2

Our faith has a definite effect on our choices and decisions. As we continue with Moses' faith journey let's take a look at the next verses in Hebrews 11:25-27 - "He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible." Only a deeply rooted faith in God and His promises and rewards can cause someone to choose pain over pleasure, suffering over comfort and convenience, future reward over instant, temporal gratification. Moses' values were changed because of his faith. Faith also is the source of courage to act boldly without giving in to fear of painful consequences. Finally, faith sees the invisible - how ironic - seeing what can't be seen. He endured and persevered because of his faith-vision. Great lessons to ponder from the life of Moses.

Moses + Faith - Pt. 1

Now we consider the faith life of Moses. Hebrews 11:23,24 - "By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter." Moses' destiny begins with the faith of his parents in their protecting him from being killed with the male babies that Pharaoh was destroying. Through God's providence he was rescued and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter but raised by his birth mother. As she raised him she instilled in him the Hebrew faith. Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. This was true of Moses for when he grew up he chose to identify with his people and eventually became their leader and God used him to deliver His people. How important it is to impart faith to children. I remember my parents teaching me to memorize verses of Scripture as soon as I learned to talk. I still have not forgotten them. Parents, take time to share faith with your children. More on Moses later.

Jacob + Faith

As I mentioned previously, faith is generational. Several times in Scripture the phrase is used: "The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Hebrews 11 only makes a brief comment concerning Jacob in verse 21 - "By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff." The story of Jacob is so interesting. His journey of faith takes him from being a cunning trickster (Jacob) to wrestling with God and being transformed into a prince of God (Israel). What is significant about the statement in Hebrews 11:21 is that Jacob ended his life in faith, blessing and worshiping. His life was full of exciting encounters and experiences with God and throughout all of them his faith was developed and kept until the end when he was able to bless his 12 sons in Genesis 49. What a blessing to look back over your life and reflect on the moments when God reveals Himself to us and blesses us. These become the faith highlights and milestones of our faith walk. What counts most is completing the journey with your faith intact. Keep the faith until the end.

Isaac + Faith

Far less is written about Isaac than about Abraham, but there is something important that I want to point out. Faith is transmitted from one generation to another. I was blessed to have inherited a rich legacy of faith from my parents and I am passing down that faith to my children and my grandson. In the same way that Paul mentions to Timothy, his son in the faith, the sincere faith that was passed on to him by his mother and grandmother - I believe that Abraham impacted Isaac's life with his faith in God. Hebrews 11:9 - "By faith he (Abraham) 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." And then in continuation verse 20 - "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future." - Isaac passed it on to his children. One last thing I have often thought of is the manner in which Isaac was able to trust his dad when Abraham told him that he was the sacrifice that God asked for. We know that Abraham was at least 112+ years old when this occurred and Isaac was a young man who could of run from his father - yet, he too, had faith in his heart that God would provide so he complied in obedience. Be grateful if you have inherited faith in God demonstrated by the lives of your loved ones and make sure you pass it on as well.

Abraham +Faith - Pt. 3

Now we come to the ultimate test of Abraham's faith when God asks him to offer up his beloved promised son to Him. Seasoned in his faith, Abraham quickly moves in response to God's word. The stirring account is found in the first 18 verses of Genesis 22. Hebrews 11:17-19 tells us what was thinking as he proceeded up the mountain with his son to obey God. (NIV) "By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death." Abraham's faith had reached such a level of total trust in God that he knew that God would be faithful and provide. And provide - God did - and provide God does. This test was not for God to know the depth of Abraham's faith because God knows all things - but rather, so Abraham could experience the fullness of God's love and trustworthiness.

Abraham + Faith - Pt. 2

Continuing with Abraham - God promises him innumerable offspring but Abraham and his wife Sarah are childless and getting up in years. Hebrews 11:11,12 (NIV) - "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. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore." He believed God's promise and even though 25 years passed and he was 99 and his wife 90 - God came through! Romans 4:18-21 - "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." Notice that he did not weaken nor waver in his faith but, rather, he was strengthened in faith. That's what we must do as we await the fulfillment of God's promises to us.

Abraham + Faith - Pt. 1

Abraham is known as the Father of Faith. His life demonstrates several important aspects of faith. Let's start with Hebrews 11:8 (NIV) - "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." Stepping from known to unknown, from familiar to unfamiliar, from comfort to discomfort, all because of God's promise of future blessing. We sometimes don't act on faith because we need to have questions answered, facts beforehand, guarantees and assurances. We want to be able to Mapquest our destination and figure out exactly how the journey will unfold. Abraham is an inspiration because he obeyed with limited information, no hesitation, no second-guessing. Faith urges us to move onward because it is based on heart vision which sees the unseen and embraces the promise of reward. He wandered and lived as a nomad always looking forward to the fulfillment of the promise and the arrival to land promised by God. Be encouraged by Abraham's faith - no matter where you find yourself on your faith journey. More to come.

Noah + Faith

Nearly everyone has heard the story of Noah and the ark. This is a classic faith story. The (MSG) summarizes his life in Hebrews 11:7 - "By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God." Noah found grace or favor in God's eyes. He believed God's warning words about the coming destruction and even though he was mocked and ridiculed by those around him, he spent his life in constructing the ark and remained faithful and obedient until it's completion. Notice that it was his faith act that made him righteous before God. Our faith coupled with our obedience is what distinguishes us from unbelievers. We are saved by grace through faith. Our faith will enable us to persevere and complete the task that God has called each of us to.

Enoch + Faith

Hebrews 11:5 (NIV) - "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." Genesis 5:24 (NIV) - "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." I think that it is amazing that Enoch had a real faith life and walked with God without there being churches, pastors, or even a Bible. He connected with God by faith and related to Him without seeing Him. The word 'walked' in Genesis means that he was in harmony or agreement with God, walked in step with Him. He was able by faith to perceive what God was looking for and lived to please Him. Through his faith he was able to escape death. His faith walk is an example of those of us who now trust God daily and seek to please Him. We too, have the hope of being translated to be with the Lord forever. Have faith and walk with God.

Abel + Faith

Hebrews 11:4 (NIV) - "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." It does not say that Abel was better than Cain, but rather, that his offering to God was better and approved and accepted by God - Faith made the difference. How we worship and what we offer God is not determined by our thoughts and feelings. Obedience to God by faith is what pleases God. Right standing with God is achieved by faith. The (MSG) states it this way - "By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought, that made the difference. That's what God noticed and approved as righteous." In Romans 12:1 we are told to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God, holy and pleasing. This is our spiritual act of worship. It takes faith to worship and live for God in the way that pleases Him. Live and worship by faith.

Commended For Faith

We're going to take a look at the lives of some of those who were commended, approved, or praised for their faith in Hebrews 11's list of Faith's Hall of Fame. Verses 39,40 state:(NIV) - "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." And in the (MSG) - "Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours." We who are now living by faith are connected to the testimonies of those who throughout the passage of time have placed their faith in God. God's approval of us comes from our choosing to trust in Him and not for what is gained or accomplished. We will be encouraged in our faith by examining the individual faith journeys referenced in this chapter. We will be taking a closer look in the next few days. Keep the faith!

Through Faith...

Ordinary individuals + active faith = extraordinary lives. Facing life's challenges through faith lead to a great testimony. In Hebrews 11 (Faith's Hall of Fame), after telling the stories of well-known individuals who lived by faith, the chapter concludes, for the sake of time, with a list of lesser known and some unnamed individuals who also lived by faith. Check out verses 32-38 - ³²And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, ³³who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. ³⁵Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. ³⁶Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. ³⁷They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— ³⁸the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. Through faith you can not only accomplish great things but you can endure great things. Do you see the shift in the middle of verse 32 beginning with the word 'OTHERS'? These through faith were able to put up with difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible situations. Think about this - more on the subject later.

Strengthened In The Faith

Colossians 2:7 (NIV) - "...rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Your faith is strengthened and established as a result of your being founded (rooted and built up) in the person of Jesus Christ. This is what allows you to take sure and firm steps in your faith-walk. Gratefulness is a by-product of the assurance and security that comes from the faith. Check out the way the MSG states verses 6 and 7 - "My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving." How well and simply put. Be strong in the faith today!

Great Faith

On two occasions in the Gospels, Jesus uses the words "great faith" in reference to two different individuals who came to Him with their need, believed and received. The first one was the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10) who asked Jesus to heal his servant that was sick. He understood Jesus' authority and believed that Jesus did not even have to come to his house but merely send His word of healing forth and it would be done. Jesus commended him for his great faith. The second was a Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21-28) whose daughter was tormented. She pleaded with Jesus for her healing and believed for it in spite of the fact the she was not from the house of Israel but was persistent in expecting Jesus to do it anyway. Jesus said she had great faith. These two persons who were not even part of God's covenant people astonished Jesus with their great faith. It is inspiring to see these two examples of people who in their moment of need place total trust in God's mercy and who will not relent until they receive their answer. We too, can have great faith!

Little Faith

The words "little faith" are found 6 times in the New Testament. 5 times in Matthew and 1 time in Luke. In all instances, they are spoken by Jesus to his disciples. The references are in Matthew 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; 17:20; and Luke 12:28. In these passages, the disciples experience doubts and fears about God's ability to provide, His promise to protect and preserve, and His power to do the impossible. In every case he addresses them as: "You of little faith." We experience anxiety about God's provision even though we have the promise that he will see to our needs. We fear things that are outside of our ability to control even though we know He has power over every situation and circumstance. We worry, fret, doubt, and fear because we have little faith. Yet Jesus said that with just a little faith in God, as tiny as a mustard seed, we could speak to mountains and they would move. Even if it seems that you have little faith, place that faith completely in the love, kindness, goodness, and mercy of God and watch what He will do.

The Goal Of Faith

Our faith will take us to our predetermined destination. We all want to be saved. Salvation in Scripture means to be whole, complete, protected, secure. 1 Peter 1:8,9 (NIV) reads - "You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls." The same passage in the (MSG) - "You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation." It's not based on seeing, but rather on trusting and continuing to believe that gets us what we desire - total salvation. Faith, or trust is the most important factor in our relationship with God, and our reward from Him for that trust is salvation! We are saved by grace, through faith. Faith is our access key to God and all the good things He has for us.

Faith Plus...+ + +

Faith is an excellent starting place, but God wants you to add to your faith. This is a process beginning with Faith and culminating in Love. Let's look at these verses in 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV) - "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." Faith is the important starting point for the journey that leads us into fulfilling God's divine purpose. These qualities listed here are what provide the power for effectiveness and productiveness. Start with faith, keep the faith, but don't forget to ADD to your faith. Then we will possess everything that we need to live the God-life.

Sincere Faith

Sincere faith is an important component of a successful Christian life. Consider these verses: 1 Timothy 1:5 (NIV) - "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 2 Timothy 1:5 (NIV) - "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." Hebrews 10:22a (NIV) - "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith..." Authentic, genuine, pure, sincere faith in our hearts along with a good conscience leads to a life of love. You have to be fully persuaded of who you believe in and what you believe. You cannot be effective if your faith is mixed with doubts, conflicting ideas and emotions. Real faith is centered, focused and pure. Trust in God completely with sincere faith.

Faith Overcomes...

We overcome by faith. 1 John 5:4b (NIV) - "This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." Our faith in God is what makes us victorious. Jesus told his disciples that in the world we would experience trouble, hardship, difficulty, and so on but that we could be of good cheer because He had overcome, and through Him, we also would overcome. We are called to fight the good fight of faith, being confident that we will be victorious if we persevere in faith and don't give up. As soldiers of the Lord we must always lift up the shield of faith. With this faith, the Bible says that we can defend against the fiery darts the enemy unleashes against us. So, you can see how vital faith is in battle and struggle. We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ. Like Paul, fight a good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith!

Faith Tested...

You can be sure that your faith will be tested. This is a good thing, however, because these tests will develop and strengthen your faith. James 12-4 (NIV) - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." We cannot avoid trials and difficult, trying situations that come into our lives and test our faith and trust in God and His promises. Our response to these tests will reveal the level of maturity in our faith life. We must learn to endure and persevere through these trials. Although we don't enjoy these tests, we rejoice in the results that are produced in us by them. We will not fail the test if we look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Be encouraged, we will overcome!

Faith Expressed...

Faith is internal but finds expression in our life actions. The Bible teaches us that faith is not so much believing in your mind but believing with your heart that is most important. When there is faith in your heart, it will surface and be visible in our lives. Consider this verse in Galatians 5:6b (NIV) - "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." In AMP - "...but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love." Faith works through love and only counts or matters when expressed through love. Not in religious rituals and observances, but in faith deeds manifested in the context of love. Be loving in your faith actions.

Faith And Deeds

The proof of faith is deeds. It is vital that there be a connection of faith and deeds. Deeds are also stated as works or actions in other versions. Consider James 2:26 (NIV) - "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." When you separate faith and deeds - there is death. You cannot just say, "I believe" and then remain idle. True faith always leads to action. Your faith is validated by your deeds, not your words. Anyone can say they have faith, but the person that really has faith will demonstrate, manifest, and prove that faith with corresponding actions. This passage of Scripture in James 2 mentions two personalities from the Old Testament, Abraham and Rahab. Both of them combined their faith and their deeds to complete their declarations of belief. Abraham believed and showed it by offering his son Isaac. Rahab's faith deeds were expressed in hiding and sheltering the spies that were sent to Jericho. We, too, are to complete our faith, not just by saying but also by doing. Faith + Deeds = Life!

Walking By Faith

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) - "For we walk by faith, not by sight." The word walk refers to the way we live our lives. This verse in the AMP Bible reads: "For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance." Faith allows us to have spiritual vision and perspective so that we don't have to base our life decisions on what our natural eyes see. There is so much more than what meets the eye. Faith gives us insight into God's ways. We don't see to believe, but rather, believe to see. Paul prays that the eyes of our understanding would be opened so that we could see from God's vantage point. Faith is what enables us to 'see' what is before us and therefore live according to God's will. Walk by faith.

Faith And God's Word

You cannot separate God's Word and Faith. Romans 10:17 (NKJV) - "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Our ears are instrumental in the development of faith in our lives. We must hear the Word of God. Faith comes as you listen to God's words. John 8:30 (NIV) - "Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him." When our spiritual ears hear God's Word, faith comes into our hearts. That is why Jesus used to say that everyone that has ears will hear what the Spirit of God is saying. The more you listen to the Holy Spirit speak, the more your heart will be filled with faith. Listen to God as He daily speaks into your life and you will see your faith flourish.

Faith And Fear

Faith versus Fear. Faith wins! Fear is the opposite of faith. We must use faith to combat fear. Fears take hold of us and paralyze us from taking action. We fear so many things: the unknown, the future, death, the dark, destruction, evil, failure, etc. The list is endless. Faith in God will calm our fears. When the disciples of Jesus were caught in a violent storm and feared for their lives, The Bible says the following. Mark 4:39,40 - He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" When fears try to grip our hearts and we are terrified, must call on God with faith knowing He is present and powerful to take control of any and every situation we may face. There are many fears we presently face, but we must remember that God is with us and for us. We will be OK. Do not give in to fear, Have faith.

Have Faith In God...

Mark 11:22 (NIV) - "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. The object of your faith is of vital importance. It's not the amount of your faith, but who you place your faith in that matters most. There are those that have much faith but that faith is misplaced. Some believe in ideas, institutions, religion, personalities, etc. What you believe is not as important as who you believe in. It is best to place your faith, little or much, in God, who is faithful. Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:12 - "Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." God is able, He will come through. Make sure that your faith is entrusted to God, in whom you can depend and count on to keep His Word. He will do what He has promised. Have faith in God.

Faith Pleases God...

Faith pleases God. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) - "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." Faith is the basic element in relating to God. God is pleased when we put our trust in Him. This first requires that you believe that He Is - the creator, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever present and eternal. The second aspect of faith is that you understand the principles of relationship with God. God always hears our prayers and will reward everyone who sincerely seeks Him. Every man, woman, boy and girl that simply embraces these truths and acts on them will experience a true and living relationship with God. This is what pleases God most - that we believe in Him and in His Word. Faith pleases God.

Let's Talk About FAITH!

Let's talk about faith. As we now are facing difficult, challenging, and uncertain times; I think it would be helpful for all of us to nurture and build up our faith. Throughout this month of March we will explore some of the many facets of faith. Let's start with the most fundamental Biblical definition of faith from Hebrews 11:1 in a few different versions. NKJV - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." NIV - "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." MSG - "The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see." How important faith is! Notice that faith is substance, evidence, certainty, assurance, and foundational. More than ever, we need to have faith, build, faith, share faith, and keep and hold on to faith. We'll be talking about faith. Be blessed. Be faithful.