LONGING AHEAD

"Instead, 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." Hebrews 11:16

What are you longing for? What is preoccupying your thinking? 

As Christians we live in the here and now, but, with an eye to eternity. Our faith does not just save us from sins death on judgement day. Christ saves us even now. The Spirit of God is ever changing us into the likeness of Jesus Christ our Lord. There is abundant life right now, and there is eternity in His Presences in the future. 

We can live the abundant life, facing it's every challenge and opportunity, by faith because we know that God is Sovereign and he has unfailing love for us. Heaven awaits us...

Father, give us the faith and strength to live each day in light of you love and faithfulness to us. Praise be to you in us today! 

WHAT'S YOUR COUNTRY?

"All 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. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own." Hebrews 11:13-14

What are you looking for?  Do you have a home country? 

Sometimes, perspective is everything. I'm a Dodger fan. It was a good year, better than the last, but, not a great year. If you're a Red Sox fan, it was a great year. I am still looking forward to a year when my Dodgers put it all together again. 

As a person of faith, I can have good years and bad years, but, I am still looking forward to "that day". My hope is on Christ and the paradise he has prepared for us. I am longing for the time he comes to take us all home with him in heaven. I am hoping to not go alone. 

My hope is in Christ, not myself, not anyone else. 

Father, thank you for giving us hope. Help us to welcome the hope from this distance of the present. Praise be to you in us today!

WHAT PLEASES GOD

"And 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." Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

One of the many things I don't understand is liberal theologians. People who call themselves Christians but don't believe in the infallibility of Scripture. They don't believe in miracles or the supernatural. So, anything that has to do with God working in a way that seems miraculous or supernatural, they reject. You know, things like the flood, healings, the virgin birth of Christ and his resurrection. 

The author of Hebrews reminds us that believing in God, pleases God. To come to him, you must believe he really exists. Not only do you need to believe he exists, but believe that he will reward you when you earnestly seek him. I think the earnestly seeking is the action to the inner belief. You, in your heart, believe he exists. In your actions you seek him in anticipation of the rewards of faith.

God wants us to believe and anticipate his working in our lives. This pleases God. That is amazing...

Father, to think that you are pleased when we believe in you and earnestly seek you, is amazing! Thank you for your amazing grace to me! Praise be to you in us today! 

IT'S ABOUT GOD

"By 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." Hebrews 11:4 

Sometimes I don't feel like my prayers are being heard. I don't feel like my confession is accepted. Frankly, it's not about me. It is about God's faithfulness. 

Cain just brought some of his stuff. Abel brought the fat portions from the firstborn of his flock. Abel sees the first thing his efforts produce and acknowledges it comes from God. I kind of get the picture that for Cain he just sort of grabs some stuff on the way to church as an afterthought. A little convicting. 

We need to remember, God gives us everything we have, even the ability to work, to produce and to provide for our families. For that I we should always be grateful.

Father, thank you for your faithfulness and graciousness. Praise be to you in us today!

SEEN FROM UNSEEN

"By 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." Hebrews 11:3

I remember when I first started at my job and they gave me the option of automatic deposit. It's great. On paydays a few of my co-workers would be rushing to get to the bank to deposit their check, so they could wait a few days for it to clear. They would always say,"I like to see it in my hands." I would reply, "I like drive by you in line and just go home and go out to dinner." 

I kind of think trusting God is a bit like the whole automatic deposit thing. I just trust they put the money in my account and then I write the checks to pay my bills, believing the funds are there. In a similar way, I trust Christ that he paid the price for my sins. I don't want to sin and I try not to sin. But, I do. The bible says that if I confess my sins he is faithful and just to forgive me from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). 

I don't see how God does everything, I just see that he does. This year we had some added expenses (you know braces and teenagers eating like teenagers type stuff) and I was given the opportunity to work a bit extra. God provided. I didn't see God working but he heard my cry and did work. 

Our faith is in God who can do things we can't anticipate. By faith we understand that God works even when we don't seem him working. 

Father, open our eyes to see you working in our lives. Praise be to you in us today!