November 25, 2022
Intro: Did you know the proper use of faith has the ability to earn you a good reputation? Although operating in faith can be a challenge, faith is a divine substance within all believers. A good reputation involves faith and grace [divine favor]. A life of faith is required if we are going to live for God; faith is based on trusting in Creator God’s character to provide for us as the created. Faith is what leads us into manifested Truth.
Many years ago, I heard faith described as, “Acting like I believe the Word of God is true.” God has revealed his will, love, and character in Scripture; so, faith is stepping out on the belief that God wants righteous things for us and he fulfills his promise to provide grace for everything that brings us a challenge.
In our lesson today, the writer of Hebrews lists many heroes of the faith. With each person mentioned, we can witness how he/she demonstrated his/her faith and the outcome of God’s work based on that faith (Heb 11:1-40). It is God himself who calls for the unseen to become seen. We just use faith to get into agreement with the will of God. So, use your faith, today. Have a blessed weekend…
Hebrews 11:1-7 NLT Great Examples of Faith
1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.
5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.
Prayer: Father, thank you for the measure of faith you have given all of your children. May we use that faith to enlarge our hope and trust in your loving care for us. May we desire the righteous things for ourselves that you desire for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.