“All these…gained [God's] approval.” Heb 11:39 NAS Taken from The Word For You Today – December 30, 2009 Comments by Rev. Susie Owens
Hebrews Chapter 11 is often referred to as “the gallery of faith.” Two groups are mentioned. Group one “escaped…the sword” (v.34). Group two “were put to death with the sword” (v.37). Now we’d all like to be in group one, but the Bible says both groups “gained [God's] approval through their faith.” The Message paraphrases this Scripture: “These people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance” (Heb 11:13 TM). Their faith kept them focused!
Sometimes faith is an instrument of change, other times it’s a means of survival; it’s what gives you the tenacity to trust God when His will seems to clash with yours. Often your faith is perfected more when things don’t change than when they do. You don’t need faith for what you can see or have already attained; you need it when life makes no sense, when you can’t explain why the baby dies, or the job falls through, or the marriage isn’t working, or the wicked prosper, or the good die, or the righteous suffer, or the kind receive no comfort. We think there’s only one good outcome – the one we want. No, we must trust whatever comes our way. and even when we can’t, we must trust Him, knowing He “causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NLT). Did you get that? Everything!
My afterthoughts: In Rom: 10:17 So faith cometh by hearing and by hearing the word of God…We all have faith the same measurement of faith. Some times people exorcise it more than others. Just like in the natural some exorcise more than others and it makes a notable difference. In order for something to be effective we have to utilize it and operate in it to be effectual. When we sit in a chair I am pretty sure not many inspect the chair before sitting down we just plop down. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we exorcised our spiritual faith the same way. Just operate in it without thinking! We can train ourselves to do this, but it starts with the word. Without instruction how can we build our faith and strengthen it. Some hear the word but fail to use it and operate in it. Or they negate their faith by speaking doubt and unbelief over something they by faith just ask God to do! What comes out of our mouth is life or death, the Bible say’s choose life. So what we hear, read and do is very important in how we will be able to have the life of victory. Jesus died for us that we can have life more abundantly and victory in our life. We must depend on Him and the faith given to us. Faith can move mountains and change impossible situations and ignite the world with miracles. Everything is moved by faith, love and prayer , or prayer, love or faith…how ever and what order you put those in it takes all three to accomplish what God intends in His Kingdom. Without Love we have nothing, without Prayer our request can’t be made known. And without Faith they can’t be bound together to be put in motion. When we lace our request with God’s power and believe with all our hearts. There is no obstacle or situation that can’t be turned to accomplish His will being done. This is a NEW YEAR and we will embrace it by Faith that it will be an awesome year in the Lord and in the natural. I speak and claim this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
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