faith – Page 14 – Be Still…

Hebrews 11:32-12:2 – Persevere to a Bold Faith

Without God we are weak. In our weakness, God steps in and gives us strength. Do you have faith enough to believe that? We have read a summary of the accounts of how the heroes of faith stepped out, trusted, obeyed, and received the promises of God. Have these examples empowered you to be more faithful? Are you ready to be bolder in your faith?

You have received the fulfillment of the promise they never saw experienced. These heroes of faith had long awaited something spectacular from God. God had promised something better. The promise of a Messiah. Jesus had not yet come when they left this earth, so their true promise had not yet been revealed to them. How much more privileged are we to know how God’s promise of a Savior came about for us all.

While they waited in anticipation, these heroes of faith took a beating for their faith yet persevered. Would you stand up for Jesus and your belief he is the truth, the way, and the life if you were cornered, back against the wall, with a weapon in your face? I know that is a brutal image to imagine, but it happens around the world still today. Especially today. Yet, we don’t always hear about those events. Persecution is alive and well, sad to say. The descriptions in today’s reading are not unheard of even today. Continue reading “Hebrews 11:32-12:2 – Persevere to a Bold Faith”

Hebrews 11:17-30 – It Was By Faith

Read Hebrews 11:17-30

It was by faith that … [INSERT YOUR NAME HERE] … was able to do mighty things that many thought impossible [INSERT YOUR STORY]. What mighty story can you tell about how God intervened in your life when you stayed faithful?

The stories we read today can really conjure up some intense feelings if you put yourself in the “hero’s” shoes. Did one of the stories make more of an impact upon you than the other? I certainly have many a Sunday School memory both of learning the stories and then teaching them to a new generation of children. For me, the thought of sacrificing my child, as Abraham was about to do, makes my heart race. To imagine your son looking into your eyes asking, “where is the sacrifice?” I often cry when I read this story and am so empowered to be faithful. Continue reading “Hebrews 11:17-30 – It Was By Faith”

Hebrews 11:1-16 – What Does Faith Look Like?

Read Hebrews 11:1-16

Chapter 11 of Hebrews focuses on faith. It is a beautiful Chapter, and we’ll reflect on a portion today. Have you ever been asked, “what is faith?” How do you describe it? While the first few verses are not a complete picture of what faith is or represents, it is what the author wanted the people to hear.

While the NLT version that I link to is my favorite translation in general, I prefer NIV for these first three verses, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.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.” If we have faith, we have confidence in God to act. We have an understanding and trust in God that people without faith are lacking. Continue reading “Hebrews 11:1-16 – What Does Faith Look Like?”

Ruth 1:6-18 – My God

Read Ruth 1:6-18

Our story unfolds a bit more today. What did we learn about Ruth today? She is devoted, and she loves deeply. Ruth didn’t want Naomi, her mother-in-law to go back to Judah alone. Ruth wasn’t thinking about her own needs or own future. She was being selfless and wanted to support Naomi. Afterall, Naomi had lost a husband and two sons and was all alone in the world.

To have a character like Ruth, to be more concerned about helping others before helping yourself sounds like something I’d like to aspire to. How about you? I know for our business, I tend to be more focused on helping others, sometimes forgetting my own needs. God looks at our hearts. He knows our desires. Continue reading “Ruth 1:6-18 – My God”

Ruth 1:1-5 – Plans Change

Read Ruth 1:1-5

There is a lot of information in these few short verses. We have been introduced to Ruth, but her character has yet to unfold. What we do have is a backdrop to Ruth’s story. The setting is before kings reigned, sometime during the time of the Judges. Ruth is a Moabite woman who married Mahlon, a man from Bethlehem. Mahlon had moved to and settled in Moab, an area about 40 miles from his home, to escape the famine in his land. Ruth’s husband has now died, and she finds herself a widow.

Ruth’s world has turned upside down. All of her plans have come to a screeching halt. Now what? What will she do now? Have you ever been at a crossroads like this? How did you respond? Continue reading “Ruth 1:1-5 – Plans Change”