“BY FAITH’’ (BELIEVING THE UNBELIEVABLE) By Linda Brown

HEBREWS 11:1…NOW FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN.

The “Heroes of Faith” listed in Hebrews 11 knew That GOD loved them and they trusted in God’s promises, even during hard times, trials, and tribulations. Simply because they had genuine faith in God…Regardless!

Reading about the saints of old no doubt encourages our faith walk. Most of us can testify to the fact that faith gives us power to endure whatever comes our way with the peace that passes all understanding.

In ROMANS 8:28, Paul says,” And we know that all things work together for the good of them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Paul, oh Paul, are you trying to tell me those relationship problems, sickness, death, children acting crazy, husband plain old lazy, bosses on the attack, being tempted by daddy Big Mac, and my best friend no longer have my back! You say they are all working for my good? I know scripture was written by man and inspired by God, but what in the world was Paul thinking when he wrote that?

Well, I can hear Brother Paul giving his own testimony of faith in spite of beatings, being shipwrecked, in prison, hunger, cold, lonely, rejected, but through it all, still trying to be a beacon of hope and encouragement for others. His faith in God enabled him to endure all that and still remain confident that God loved him, God was still in control, and yes, all things were working together for Paul’s good then, and ours now.

Even when we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, if we trust in God and lean not to our own understanding, we can rest assured that in His own time and in His own way, God will bless us in ways we can’t imagine. When we boldly stand on our faith, we should prepare ourselves for the abundance of joy and peace that will surely be ours through Christ Jesus.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must first believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.” Real faith actually drives a true child of God to want to know Him. Like Lay’s potato chips, bet you can’t eat just one. It’s like that with God, once you get a taste of Him you want more and more. It’s sad to imagine, but some people go through life without knowing the beauty and glory of God because they don’t believe. And there are those who do believe but the slightest wind will cause their faith to waver. I heard a story once about a little boy coming out of Sunday School smiling and singing a happy tune. A grumpy old man tried to crush the boy’s joy. The man said, son, do you believe in God? The boy answered, mister, I sure do. Then the old man said, if you can tell me where God is, I will give you a dime. The boy replied, mister, I will give you a dollar if you can tell me where God isn’t. THAT’S FAITH!

We have heard it said, call it like you see it. Well, what if it’s raining so hard in your life that you can’t see and you lose focus on the things of God. What about those times you are too tired to tie a knot and hold on? Do we give up and have a pity party? Heaven forbid! Instead of focusing on what we are going through, we should focus on what we are going to. By faith, we will stand on the Word, and remind ourselves of God’s promises. Sometimes I even say to Him….Lord, you said, or Lord, Your Word says…… And I’m standing on Your Word in the mighty name of Jesus.

Faith is trusting God even when we can’t feel His touch. The next time we find ourselves in the mist of our storm, just remember, God will meet us where our faith is. Prepare to ride it out, and know that Jesus is at the helm, and we can’t lose with the stuff He use. Without faith it is impossible to please God. But with faith we can say to the mountain be thy moved and it shall move, and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat. Praise God!