Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

Faith. That’s what we all have. We have faith. We have faith in God. We have faith in Jesus. It is God’s gift to all believer's in Jesus.

Biblehub.com, Barnes Notes on the Bible: “There is scarcely any verse of the New Testament more important than this, for it states what is the nature of all true faith and is the only definition of it which is attempted in the Scriptures. Eternal life depends on the existence and exercise of faith, and hence, the importance of an accurate understanding of its nature.”

This opening verse in Hebrews 11 encapsulates the very nature of faith. It goes beyond mere belief and trust; it involves a deep conviction in the promises of God, even when we cannot tangibly perceive them.

Somehow when we are saved, God instills in us this knowledge that we hope for, and we know it is true. It resides inside of us firm and secure. It never lets us down. This verse is the opening of a remarkable account of the “Hall of Faith” in this chapter, highlighting the lives of numerous Old Testament figures who demonstrated unwavering trust in God.

Bibleref.com: “Our perspective, looking back on their 'Hall of Faith' example, should inspire confidence that God will make good on His promises, even if our earthly lives don't last long enough to see them come to fruition. God ‘creates’ out of things we cannot see—both in a literal, physical sense, as well as a spiritual sense. Just because we don't understand how God will act does not mean He cannot or will not act.”

Ephesians 2:8: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: “Faith always has been the mark of God's servants, from the beginning of the world. Where the principle is planted by the regenerating Spirit of God, it will cause the truth to be received, concerning justification by the sufferings and merits of Christ. And the same things that are the object of our hope, are the object of our faith. It is a firm persuasion and expectation, that God will perform all He has promised to us in Christ.”

Never let your faith grow cold. God has instilled it in us to carry us forward with hope and assurance until the day He takes us home. Be sure of it.

By His Grace . . .

Joshua 24:15

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day

whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates,

or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.

But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

This should be the statement of every man and woman who have been saved by the blood of Jesus and brought into the family of God. But every household cannot say this. Many of us, if not all of us, have unsaved family members living in the same house, if not the same town or the same state, or across the country.

I want to focus on the words “But as for me.” You. Me. Whoever is reading this. As for you. Will you serve the Lord? Will you make a difference by living for God and standing for truth?

Yes, many of us will and do make a difference and stand for truth. With all our heart we want to be able to say, “and my household.” My sister. My brother. My father. My mother. But many of us can’t say that.

It’s hard when a loved one rejects what you believe. A heartbreak that just won’t go away. A sadness that lingers through every day. Always the question, “What can I do?”

You can pray. It’s the best thing you can do. God hears prayer.

Godsbless.ing: “The above verse speaks to the power of individual choice and personal commitment to faith. Joshua, a faithful leader, declares his unwavering dedication to serving the Lord, setting an example for his household to follow. The verse highlights the importance of making a conscious decision to align oneself with God and prioritize His teachings in all aspects of life.”

That’s what we can do. Choose. Commit. Set an example. Pray. God wants to see your household following Christ. It all starts with your firm commitment and secure belief.

We won’t win everyone. Even members of our families. God seeks our desire to live for Him and trust Him with everyone else.

Stand tall and bravely say with confidence, “But as for me.”

By His Grace . . .

Lamentations 3:21

 

“This I call to mind and therefore I have hope.”

The above words come before a well-known verse in the book of Lamentations, but they are unfamiliar to many. I became aware of this verse from a Sunday School lesson, and it has been a favorite ever since. The well-known words? Verses 22-23:

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

Many Christians know the above words by heart and call on them often. But the words before it, verse 21, are not noticed. They are important though. They tell us to use our mind and remember what God has done before. This brings hope.

Bible.art: “The verse can be divided into two parts: the act of recalling to mind and the resulting hope. The act of recalling to mind serves as a deliberate effort to remember the character and promises of God. Choose to focus on God's faithfulness and goodness in the midst of suffering and devastation. This deliberate act of remembering is a powerful spiritual discipline that enables us to find hope and comfort in God's steadfast love.

“The resultant hope that emerges from this act of recalling to mind is rooted in the character of God. We find hope in God's unchanging nature, His love, and His promises to His people. This hope is not simply wishful thinking, but a confident expectation that God will fulfill His promises and bring restoration and redemption to His people.”

When you need encouragement and hope, call to mind God’s past faithfulness and you will find hope  revived in your soul. Memorize verse 21 as a new addition to God’s faithful words in verse 22 and 23.

With the dawn of every day there dawns also the mercies of our God. Lamentations 3:22 is a life anchor. It’s a reminder that God’s love and mercy are as reliable as sunrise. We call to mind these words, trusting in the eternal faithfulness of God.

Godsbless.ing: “Isn’t it comforting to know that God’s love for us never runs out and His mercies are fresh every single day? . . . Just imagine the incredible gift of a clean slate each morning, a chance to start anew with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit ready to receive God’s endless love.”

“This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.” Truth to live with each day.

By His Grace . . . 

1 Peter 1:7

 

Picture from "PeacefulMomentsForWomen" Facebook page.

1 Peter 1:7

“These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—

of greater worth than gold,

which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise,

glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Trials are difficult. Nobody wants to go through them, but we all will throughout our life. This verse says our faith is greater than gold. Gold is desirable and expensive. We purchase it mostly in jewelry. Bullion coins and gold bars are made out of gold. Dentists use gold for tooth fillings, crowns and bridges. It’s used in medicine and electronics.

Yet as rich and important as gold is, our faith is greater. We are given an opportunity to participate in giving praise, glory, and honor to our Lord when we come out of trials stronger and victorious. That’s an excellent reason to persevere and trust God when we are going through trials.

We may be distressed for a season, but we can also rejoice when our trials come to an end. Our thankfulness to God for taking us through can bring joy and strength to our faith.

“When we remain steadfast in our faith despite the challenges we face, our perseverance and trust in God bring about praise, glory, and honor. This verse encourages us to see our struggles as opportunities for growth and transformation, knowing that our faith will shine even brighter when Christ is revealed to us. It reminds us that the difficulties we encounter are not without purpose, but rather opportunities for our faith to be refined and strengthened for the glory of God.

“The testing of faith is not meant to break us but to build us up. It is a way for believers to grow in their spiritual maturity and deepen their relationship with God. Believers demonstrate their resilience and steadfastness in the face of adversity by facing challenges with unwavering faith and trust in God. Having faith tested is a transformative experience that ultimately leads to a stronger and more authentic faith that can withstand any trial or tribulation.” Godsbless.ing

Our goal is to honor our Lord and bring Him praise. When we look at trials in this regard, we can accept and trust as we walk through the fire, knowing our God is working in us.

"Of greater worth than gold."

By His Grace . . . 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

I'm thankful Paul wrote about being weak and how God’s power is enough in all circumstances. And I’m very thankful Jesus said His power is made perfect in weakness.

From the greatest of us to the smallest, we all have periods of weakness. We are human. This isn’t a trait of certain people. It’s a trait of all people.

But how can we handle our weakness?

Godsbless.ing: “This verse reminds us in those moments that it is okay to feel weak because God’s power is most evident in our weaknesses. When we acknowledge our limitations and turn to Christ for strength, we allow His power to work through us, filling us with courage and resilience . . . This verse teaches us that our weaknesses do not diminish our worth or abilities; instead, they become opportunities for us to rely on God and experience His strength in a profound way. We open ourselves up to His grace and transform our vulnerabilities into sources of spiritual growth and empowerment by surrendering our weaknesses to Christ.”

Charles Spurgeon: “Great tribulation brings out the great strength of God. If you never feel inward conflicts and sinking of soul, you do not know much of the upholding power of God.”

Weakness. As humans we don’t want to think of ourselves as weak. We think it is a negative quality. Yet we can gain so much when we are weak. When we see what God can and will do for us when we are weak, our faith is strengthened, and we are filled with understanding of our God’s power and ability.

God’s grace is sufficient during times of weakness. His marvelous and powerful grace, freely given, always works on our behalf.

Weakness. When you are in God’s family and serve Him, weakness is a stepping stone to God’s Almighty power and strength. Hallelujah!

By His Grace . . . 

2 Chronicles 16:9a

My friend, Peggy, painted this picture several years ago. A favorite!

2 Chronicles 16:9a

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those

whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

This verse makes you want to shout out with a giant thank you to our great God. This verse says God is continually looking at His children so He can strengthen them at all times. This verse overwhelms you with peace knowing God is always watching and working to help you.

King Asa was visited by the prophet, Hanani, with these words. Unfortunately, King Asa didn’t accept Hanani’s words. In time, his kingdom fell.

We know God’s Word is always true. What is said about God, He will do, and we can trust Him to be faithful. God’s Word has been proven true through the ages.

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: “The eyes of His omniscience are everywhere, and the eyes of His mercy and goodness, of His care and providence, are here and there, and in every place throughout the whole world at once, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards Him.”

This is a promise of divine assistance at all times to His children. We know that anytime we are in need of support, God already knows and will work on our behalf.

Godsbless.ing: “It highlights the omnipresence and omnipotence of God, emphasizing that His eyes are not limited by time or space but span across the entire earth. This imagery symbolizes God’s continuous watchfulness and attention towards His creation, showing that nothing escapes His notice. Furthermore, the verse underscores the importance of having a sincere and wholehearted commitment to God. It teaches us that God is always ready to strengthen and support those who remain steadfast in their faith and loyalty to Him.”

Charles Spurgeon: “Perhaps nothing describes our Lord with more grace than when He is shown as humbly stooping from His throne, descending from heaven to attend to the needs and woes of mankind . . . Even your sigh is able to move the heart of Jehovah, your whisper can incline His ear toward you, your prayer can stop His hand, and your faith can move His arm.”

God is always caring for us. Even if we can’t see the answer in the middle of the battle, His Hands are in motion and working to help us. We can be confident as we wait to see what God is going to do.

By His Grace . . . 

Psalm 61:1-2

 
Picture on Countrylivin Facebook page.

Psalm 61:1-2

“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you,

I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”

When I was a new Christian in need of support, my brother-in-law suggested I read Psalm 61, and it has been a favorite since that time 47 years ago.

We all need verses of Scripture that carry a special meaning during difficult times. In Psalm 61, the psalmist wants God to hear his cry; to listen to his prayer; to know he is calling on God during a difficult time.

That’s what we want too. We want to be near Him, the Rock, for His help.

Enduringword.com: “David knew there would be times when his heart was overwhelmed. In those moments he needed at least three things: He needed a Rock, a place of stability and security, something strong enough to stand against crashing waves or quaking earth; He needed a Rock that is higher than I, a place above himself, above his wisdom, above his abilities; He needed God to lead him to that Rock. David was unable to get to the firm-footed place above his crisis on his own . . . Ultimately Jesus Christ is the Rock that is higher than I."

Godsbless.ing: “The imagery of God being a Rock and a strong tower provides a sense of security and refuge. The psalmist compares God to a Rock that is higher, symbolizing God’s elevated and unshakable nature. This visual metaphor conveys the idea that God is a firm foundation, a steadfast source of strength that towers above all worldly troubles. It highlights the faith and trust the psalmist places in God’s protection and shelter.”

"A Shelter in the Time of Storm"

Verse One

“The Lord's our Rock, in Him we hide, A shelter in the time of storm;

Secure whatever ill betide, A shelter in the time of storm."

Refrain

"Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A Shelter in the time of storm."

 Verse 4

“O Rock divine, O Refuge dear, A shelter in the time of storm;

Be Thou our Helper ever near, A shelter in the time of storm.

Our Rock is Christ. He’s higher than we are. When we are faint, we call upon Him. He always answers.

By His Grace . . .