Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Faith

My husband's favorite book of the Bible is Hebrews. Last week I decided I was going to dig into Hebrews and hopefully fall in love with Hebrews like he does. I admit, I have learned a lot and struggled through parts that I have no idea what is happening, but last night as I was reading, I came across a part that encouraged me and challenged me. I came back to it today as I feel the anxiety of my teaching observation coming this afternoon and the lack of hits on renters for our townhouse, and Christmas expenses, and waiting 6 more days until pay day with only $80.00 in our bank account. I wonder and reflect on how we managed the past 4 years to make it on one income. All my insecurities about money and finances are stressing me out right now and this is not something I usually worry about- the enemy has found it's way in. The business and hussel and bussel of our schedules have left little time for Brenton and I to connect and talk about what's going with things, and when I don't get to talk about it, I start creating worst case scenarios in my mind.

So last night as I was reading Hebrews, I conveniently was on the chapter about faith. Thank you Jesus. I know it was a direct leading from God for me to read this and have it continually play in my mind today. It's a long passage, and I don't expect you to read it all, but I highlighted the parts that struck me. If you are struggling with your faith in God, this is proof and examples of his continual faithfulness through the history of the Bible- I have to hold to what a dear friend of mine once told me- God has never you let you down, why do you think He would start now?

Hebrews 11- By Faith
1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.

3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

7By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he[a]considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring[b] will be reckoned."[c] 19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

23By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea[d] as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

31By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[e]

32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37They were stoned[f]; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

It's amazing all the miracles and answers to prayer that happened, just through having FAITH!!!

I hope my stories reads like this, By her faith, she....
was a blessed mother of 3
honored her husband
did all things for His glory
was the best teacher she could be
coached with an attitude of Christ
loved her neighbors, family, and enemies
believed that God would provide for her needs
believed God would sell or rent her house
and on and on and on and on....

3 comments:

  1. Stephanie- what a good idea, to write a faith story! I think I will tag onto that and write mine on my blog!

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  2. Thanks for this post Stephy. For me, I have to remember that faith is more than a feeling or emotion. Those come and go. Faith, for me, is a way of life. Am I praying, trusting, and reading the Bible IN THE MIDST of my emotions and feelings going up and down on a rollercoaster of doubt, fear, and frustration? Just my two cents. Hang in there and keep an eye for what God would have you learn in these times.

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