By Faith

Hebrews 11:1-40


1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,
18 of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named."
19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.
21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,
25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets--
33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two,they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated--
38 of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Week 19 of Charles Stanley's Intercession for America/For Revival Worldwide

The Lord's Faithfulness Endures Forever
Ps. 117  Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!  ESV Bible

Ps. 117
Praise God, everybody! Applaud God, all people!  His love has taken over our lives; God's faithful ways are eternal. Hallelujah! Message Bible

Ps.117 1 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. King James Bible

Ps.117 O praise Jehovah, all ye nations; Laud him, all ye peoples. For his lovingkindness is great toward us; And the truth of Jehovah [endureth] for ever. Praise ye Jehovah. ASV Bible

Salmos 117 1 Alabad al SEÑOR, naciones todas; alabadle, pueblos todos.  Porque grande es su misericordia para con nosotros, y la verdad del SEÑOR es eterna. ¡Aleluya! La Biblia de las Americas

Ps. 117 1 Praise ADONAI, all you nations! Worship him, all you peoples! For his grace has overcome us, and ADONAI's truth continues forever. Halleluyah! Complete Jewish Bible

Psaume 117 Louez l'Eternel, toutes les nations!Chantez ses louanges, ô vous, tous les peuples!
Car il est immense, son amour pour nous. Sa fidélité subsiste à jamais. Louez l'Eternel! La Bible du Semeur

Псалми 117 Хваліть Господа, всі племена, прославляйте Його, всі народи, бо зміцнилось Його милосердя над нами, а правда Господня навіки! Алілуя! Ukrainian Bible

Псалтирь 117 (116-1) Хвалите Господа, все народы, прославляйте Его, все племена; (116-2) ибо велика милость Его к нам, и истина Господня вовек. Аллилуия. Russian Synodal Version

Our God is the God of the universe. Before Him there was no other God because He is, was and will be. He is Alpha,Omega, the beginning and the end!! Amen

Naked and Exposed to the Eyes of Him Whom We Must Give Account

Heb.4:13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
We are accountable to God for all our sin. This is a terrifying thing to think about, facing God's wrath without the blood of Jesus as your atonement.
Heb.4:14-16  Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
He was tempted by the devil to sin also but He did not fail as we do.
1 Tim.2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
He will forgive us if we confess our sin and repent.
The defintion of repent: to turn from sin
There is no way to God but one, Jesus Christ. If someone says different, they are a liar and of satan's followers.
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Lord, I pray for the ones who are spreading lies about salvation. Please open their eyes before it is too late.
Amen

Earthly Possessions

1 Tim.6:6-10 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment,  for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Job 1:21 And he said,"Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
Ps.49:17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.
Matt.6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Somewhere along the way, we have gotten the idea that more things will make us happy and content. There are many wealthy people who are not content. They have all sorts of things that just seem to add to the feeling of, there has got to be more to this life. If you follow the Lord, you will be content! Our pastor has just preached a sermon on this subject and I have not listened to yet. I know I will be blessed by God's truth in his sermon. This lesson that I am talking about came from my bible study today. I know that God blessed many people in the bible with material blessings because of their faithfulness to Him. These people were righteous, sought God's will and took care of others who were less fortunate than they were.
Matt.6:31-34 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
I guess what strikes my heart about God's word is that love is the key to being a Christ Follower. Be mindful of the poor, share what you have and be blessed. Clean out closets and give to your local food and clothes bank. May God bless you today.

Mystery of the Gospel

Ephesians 3:6-13 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,  and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.  This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,  in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.  So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
God's gospel word is not only for the Jews but the Gentiles. God, in His infinite mercy has allowed us know Him. He has taken away the burden of the law and given us a one time atonement for sin, the eternal blood sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:4-8 There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.  Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."
Acts 4:11-12 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Rev. 1:5-6 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Lord, continue to open the meaning of Your word to us. Help us to love with a humble spirit and Lord bless us to show Your love to the lost. Amen

Halloween: Trick or Treat

Do we Christians really need to take part in this pagan day? I think we have been tricked by a cunning devil!!
Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
You know, I grew up trick or treating and never gave it a second thought. It was not until after years of bible study that I began to question this thing called Halloween. I never did worship the devil or did I unwillingly and unknowingly do so by participating in this ritual?
2 Cor.4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Romans 1:21-23  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,  and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Deut. 18:10-12 There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer  or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you.
Eph.6:12  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
After reading these verses, I think I need forgiveness. Lord God in Heaven, I repent of this wickedness and ask for forgiveness. I choose to be in Your light and to celebrate the good news of Your son Jesus. Amen

Asceticism Verses Being God Kept

The definition of asceticism: the doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification, and the like.
Colossians 2:18-23  Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.  If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations-- "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch"  (referring to things that all perish as they are used)--according to human precepts and teachings?  These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Christ has delivered us from this way of thinking. We walk in His Spirit and only He can deliver us from sin.
Colossians 1:11-14  May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 2:12-15 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.  And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,  by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.  He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Father, in all the universe, You are all we need. You have the power to change and keep us until You dwell among us. Amen