Verse of the Day 10/7

Through the Bible - Isaiah 38-40, Colossians 2:6-3:17

 

Good morning,

In my personal devotions I've spent some time over the past couple of days in Hebrews 11, a place that I repeatedly turn for encouragement.  In reading this chapter often referred to as the "Hall of Faith" we can come to a better understanding of what true faith is, and what true faith does for a person.

 

For today's verse we'll go to verse 6 which shows us the necessity of faith in our relationship with God.

Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified Bible)  But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

You have probably noticed by now that I've been using the Amplified Bible for much of my studying this year.  I would encourage you to read this chapter, and possibly consider reading this translation.  It is available online through Bible Gateway and other sources.  Time after time verses in this chapter start out with "by faith".  The Amplified Bible helped me to see that we are prompted by faith, urged on, controlled and sustained by faith,  aroused by faith, actuated by faith, motivated by faith and are helped by faith.  In addition to this faith gives us the eyes to see these things and to feel His presence even when the "cords of death surround us".

 

Considering these things should help us to realize that faith is real, it has substance, is tangible, and is something to be held onto, in fact, through the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit, it keeps hold of us.

 

I'd encourage you to spend some time in Hebrews 11.  Then read the first few verses below from The Message.  May God's Word speak to you today.

Hebrews 12 -  Discipline in a Long-Distance Race

 ^1-3Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!  

 

Look to, turn to "Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" - Heb. 12:2 NKJV

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Faith at the Dawn of History

   
⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
⁷ By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faithful Abraham

   
⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
¹¹ By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.