Monday Morning Encouragement - Second Week of Advent - Faith


"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, 
the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1


As part of our celebration of the Advent season, we're exploring the four themes of Advent: Hope, Faith, Joy and Peace. Last Monday we looked at Hope. Today we'll see what the Bible has to say about Faith.


Faith


The eleventh chapter of Hebrews has been referred to as "The Faith Hall of Fame." Here the writer of Hebrews provides a list of men and women who expressed extraordinary faith in God.  


The word "faith" occurs 24 times in this chapter and the expression "by faith" shows up 19 times. Why is faith so important to the Christian? Because without it we cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6). It is not by our good deeds that we please the Lord. It is by our conviction that God exists, that He will keep His promises and we will receive all we hope for: Christ's imminent return, the resurrection from the dead and eternal life with Him. Regarding Hebrews 11, Pastor Steven Cole writes, "Here is a text that defines true faith, for that is what all men need – faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. And our text also describes how faith works in the difficult times of men’s lives. May God imbed this text in our minds and enable us to live it out in our lives, to His glory and to our eternal good."


How do we come to faith? The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 10:17, "Faith comes through hearing and hearing through the word of God." God calls us and speaks to us through the Bible. It is His love letter to those who seek Him and desire to have a personal and meaningful relationship with Him. He is not a distant God who cannot be reached. It is our sin that separates us from Him. However, God has provided a way to breech that separation through faith in Christ and His redemptive work on the cross. Just as God raised Him from the dead, so God raises us from the death of our sinful life when we put our trust in Christ and gives us new life in Him. It's amazing! Yet it is faith in Jesus Christ that saves us and gives us the abundant life that He promised (John 10:10). It is by grace through faith that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). 


I must tell you that Christmas means so much more when we know Jesus Christ personally. This is not religion! No, it is a relationship. A relationship that is never ending. And it is real. There is so much more I could write about this. I pray that if you do not yet have this relationship with Jesus that you will open your heart to Him now and let Him enter in. It is life changing.


Today's music video Have Faith in God by the Maranatha Praise Band is a gentle, sweet song that encourages us to keep our faith in God and never let go of it. Don't we all need that kind of faith in these trying times?

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I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.




7 comments

  1. Amen on this Nancy. Happy New Week #2 of Advent. Have a good and wonderful week. xoxo

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  2. Thank you for Hope and Faith through your words and quotes. I really appreciate your doing this each week. I would like to have YOUR faith and hope.. I'm working on it and praying for it. Hugs.. Marilyn

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    1. Marilyn, I just love your sweet, humble heart. Everything comes from the Lord, even our hope and faith. He is the one who supplies them, so asking Him to supply them is absolutely the right thing to do. He is the author and finisher of our faith, as the Bible says. Love to you, my friend. Hugs.

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    1. The season is flying by! God's best to you, my friend. xx

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  4. Yes! Thankful for his gift of salvation. Thankful for him, a true friend and brother.

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