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Confidence, Encouragement Today, Faith has evidence, Faith IS ....Substance, Hebrews 11:1-6, Hebrews 13:5-6, HOPE, Hope IS Jesus, Jesus Cares!, JESUS IS HOPE, Jesus Supplies our need, John 10:9-10, Psalm 119:133-136, Psalm 37:23-24, Romans 10:13-17, Romans 8:28-32, Romans 8:38-39, Trusting Jesus
Hope IS Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #83
“Now faith is
the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen…
….6 But without faith
it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is,
and that he is a rewarder
of them
that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:1 & 6
Faith by the biblical definition says, “faith is the substance of things hoped for”, yet it isn’t just vain “wishing” but it IS “the evidence of things not seen”! I didn’t see the resurrection of my Lord Jesus, but I trust to the word of God and the witness and testimony of those who did see HIM. And why would I do that? Because the Word is of God a precious love letter to those who will receive it; and through that Word, receive Jesus as the Lord and Savior of our lives.
“For whosoever shall call
upon the name of the Lord
shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him
in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him
of whom they have not heard?
and how shall they hear
without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach,
except they be sent?
as it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach
the gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
For Esaias saith,
Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then
faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:13-17
(Just a side note, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:21–not entertainment, or gimmicks, or programs but PREACHING of the GOSPEL, see 1 Corinthians 15:1-6)
I heard that voice speaking to my heart some 50 years ago, and responded in repentance of MY sin (yes, a church-member but lost!), and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin, and received the forgiveness that Jesus paid for at Calvary, and HE has never failed me to this day, and HIS WORD has never missed a beat of truth as I have learned to lean upon it, to trust its advice, wisdom, direction and HOPE for today and tomorrow (however many of them I have), yet my call is to live in the ‘today’s’ with gratitude for yesterday and pressing on today (regardless of its circumstances– remembering that God orders my steps!) knowing that God is The Sovereign God over all!
“The steps of a good man
are ordered by the LORD:
and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall,
he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the LORD upholdeth him
with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24
I press on with this prayer of the psalmist in my heart (but remember if you don’t put The Word ‘in’–“member it” — you won’t “re”member it)!
“Order my steps
in thy word:
and let not any iniquity
have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man:
so will I keep thy precepts.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;
and teach me thy statutes.
136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes,
because they keep not thy law.” Psalm 119:133-136
Jesus Himself reminded us that HE came to give us life–real life–with hope in The One who not only created us but gives us joyous life, no matter our circumstances; and while HE didn’t promise that our circumstances would always be pleasant, HE is faithful to be with us to work them for our good, and HIS glory!
“I am the door:
by me if any man enter in,
he shall be saved,
and shall go in and out,
and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not,
but for to steal,
and to kill,
and to destroy:
I am come
that they might have life,
and that they might have it
more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd:
the good shepherd giveth his life
for the sheep.” John 10:9-11
Paul said it amazingly:
“And we know that all things
work together for good
to them that love God,
to them who are the called
according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow,
he also did predestinate
to be conformed
to the image of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn
among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,
them he also called:
and whom he called,
them he also justified:
and whom he justified,
them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things?
If God be for us,
who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son,
but delivered him up for us all,
how shall he not with him also
freely give us all things?” Romans 8:28-32
Yet there is even more encouragement in the close of chapter 8!
“For I am persuaded, that
neither death,
nor life,
nor angels,
nor principalities,
nor powers,
nor things present,
nor things to come,
39 Nor height,
nor depth,
nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us
from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
There is so much more that I could share about the assurance of hope that we have in Jesus, but I simply want to close with one of my favorite verses of assurance that lights my hope anew again and again. May Jesus comfort your heart today with HIS truth no matter the battles that you may be facing, the discouragement that may be haunting your soul, or the uncertainty of life’s issues coming at you–remember that Jesus knows, Jesus cares, and Jesus will provide the perfect provision! I pray that you will find the same comfort, encouragement, and hope that I find in HIM no matter how I “feel” –God works on truth and certainty and feelings change with the wind (and in Oklahoma we know all about the ‘wind’) so look up, walk forward in faith, and cling to HIS WORD not those ‘feelings’!
“Let your conversation
be without covetousness;
and be content
with such things as ye have:
for he hath said,
I will never leave thee,
nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say,
The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear what man
shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6
I pray blessings of hope and encouragement on your heart and life today.
Amen and Amen!!!