Reaching Out in Faith

In the book of Hebrews, Chapter 11, verse 6, it says, "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."

Chapter 11 is an important chapter in the book of Hebrews; mainly because it recites all of the saints who even though they didn't know where they were going, even though they could not visibly see God, they were obedient and followed where God was leading them. To follow and be obedient takes great faith.

I bet you are wonderng how do you follow what you can't see? The first thing would be to believe that God exists.

Believing that God exisits is only the beginning; even the demons believe that God exists. (James 2:19-20)

Other ways we follow is we pray and we open the Bible and start reading. Our faith increases, the more we pray and study the Word of God. Attend a church where the Word of God is being preached. Faith comes simply by hearing it. (Romans 10:17)

True faith involves a commitment of your whole self to God.

True faith always results in a changed life and good deeds. Not just doing good, but changing your life to be the holiness of God.

When you take the promises and truths in His Word and declare them out loud, you'll sense your faith increasing.

In the Power of a Praying Woman, the author states that "praying increases our faith as well because it's how we reach out and touch God." At one point, the Bible tells us that a woman reached out to the Lord believing that if she just "touched the hem of His garment" she could be healed. Jesus told her that her faith had made her well, and she was healed at that very time (Matthew 9:20-22).

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)

Two words describe faith: sure and certain. These two qualities need a secure beginning and ending point.

The beginning point of faith is believing in God's character --- He is who He says. The end point is believing in God's promises --- He will do what He says.

When we believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we don't see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith. (John 20:24-31)

Some people think they would believe in Jesus if they could see a definite sign or a miracle. But Jesus says we are blessed if we can believe without seeing. (John 20:29)

A physical appearance would not make Jesus any more real to us than He is now. We have all the proof we need in the words of the Bible and the testimony of believers.

Today is a the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Share your testimony and help a non believer to have faith. You can look back over your life and see how God has been there even when you could not see Him.

Thought for Today: Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.