 |
 |
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
| >>> | |||||
Hebrews 11:1 - FAITH.Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.INTRODUCTION Faith starts with believing in God's goodness and truth - that he is who he says he is. Faith culminates with knowing that God will do what he promises. When we believe that he will fulfill his promises even though we don't see them materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL Faith is not feeling. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." [Hebrews 11:1.] True faith is in no sense allied to presumption. Only he who has true faith is secure against presumption, for presumption is Satan's counterfeit of faith. Faith claims God's promises and brings forth fruit in obedience. Presumption also claims the promises, but uses them as Satan did, to excuse transgression. Faith would have led our first parents to trust the love of God and to obey His commands. Presumption led them to transgress His law, believing that His great love would save them from the consequences of their sin. It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven without complying with the conditions on which mercy is to be granted. Genuine faith has its foundation in the promises and provisions of the Scriptures. GW260 COMMENTARY "Lord, I feel alone," I wrote in my journal during my morning with Jesus. Tears fell. I finally put words to what I had been feeling for a while. I felt foolish saying I was alone. People were all around me, both personally and professionally. Yet something was missing. Journaling allowed me to be honest with Jesus and myself. I searched for love and companionship in people and experiences rather than seeking the face of Jesus. I didn't trust He was with me because I often didn't feel Him - no wonder I felt alone. Jesus gently assured me He was with me amidst my loneliness, but I often dismissed His presence if my needs were not satisfied by others. He invited me to believe He cares, even if I didn't see or feel Him in the ways I expected. He told me I would experience more of His presence if I sought Him for my needs rather than putting that expectation on others. Hebrews 11:1 assures me faith is not a feeling. It's a conscious practice of being sure of what you can't yet see. Jesus asked me to expect His presence with such belief. I confessed I didn't have much faith on my own. Like the man in Mark 9:24, I began praying, Jesus, help my unbelief. Anticipating Jesus's presence, rather than the unmet expectations of others, built my faith and diminished my reliance on my feelings. Slowly, I felt less alone and more complete. Brenda L. Yoder Faith Step: When you feel alone, find a scripture to pray that helps you rely on your faith instead of your feelings. [Mornings With Jesus 2025 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Hebrews 11:1 - FAITH. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220829-0818.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220602-1000.html John 1:17 - Jesus Grace and Truth. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230218-0907.html 2 Peter 1:4 - There Is Power In The Promises. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20131129-2022.html John 20:31 - The Power of God's Word and Eternal Life. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180724-1557.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |