The Tangibles of Faith

Good morning folks!!!! So I have been “cloistered” for most of the weekend; locked away in deep prayer and meditation.  In my prayer time I began to think about God’s promises to me and I came into the full knowledge of the fact that there are two levels of promises. The first is based upon His grace…He blesses because He sees fit to do so.  Grace is unmerited favor. My prayer time was focused more on the second level, faith,  that leads to blessings because of obedience. Now, if you really know me you would know that “obedience” is not a part of my genetic makeup….I’m the reason we have rules; as a kid, I guarantee you, I was busy doing what you were telling  I couldn’t, while you were in the midst of telling me I couldn’t. As I grew older I began to understand why certain things were necessary and why I couldn’t live by the motto “if it feels good do it…” To paraphrase 1 Corinthians 6:12 all things are permissible but all things do not bring life. I don’t know about you but I was to live a life that is an example. I want people to see my life not as a role model, Lord knows I am far from that, but, as a person full of faults, flaws and frailties that God loved, embraced and kept in the midst of all my mess….sort of like David. Doing so based on my love, devotion and faithfulness to Him. I often say my life may be the only Bible that someone reads so what does my life say about the God I say I serve? All of which leads me to FAITH!

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

To break this down in very basic terms that you can understand. Think about your everyday life. We all have chairs in our home, we don’t know who made the chairs, and we don’t know if every screw is tight or if every weld is firm. We never inspect the chairs, we sit trusting that the chair will support us….this is the exact same experience as having faith.

By faith Noah built an Ark

By faith David slew Goliath

By faith Abraham trusted God with Isaac

By faith Job was able to overcome his afflictions

By faith Joseph was lifted to high places

By faith Moses was able to lead

By faith Ruth was kept

By faith Daniel was able to sit with lions

By faith (insert your name) was able to  ___________

And last but by no means least it was by faith that I was covered and protected from the consequences of my nature  because it was by faith that my Savior was crucified.

The list goes on and on throughout the Bible…and the faith story is still being written

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

James 2:19 ESV

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Luke 1:37 ESV

For nothing will be impossible with God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

How’s your faith?