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1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore." 13 All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth,14 for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, 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; indeed, he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 New Revised Standard Version Bible)
Since 1999, ConCafe has been an electronic message of Good News. First as a text only email, then later with the addition of an audio recording, our purpose has been to make Jesus real for the world, with the hope of winning the world for Him. The devotional is not for everyone, but those who find spiritual nourishment bless the work by telling others about the Good News they have heard in and through it. I ask for your support through your prayers and whatever other means you believe might bless this ministry. You can also forward any and all messages to those whom you believe would be blessed by hearing a positive word.
We come to the letter written to the people called Hebrews. It is a reminder to all who read it about the importnace of having and sharing faith. The very first verse is the classic definition of what the writer believes is crucial for receiving, understanding, and keeping faith. I remember first reading this verse and being amazed at how in a concise way the writer explains faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for; meaning in one's understanding of things we have heard about, in sermons, Sunday school lessons, or through reading books on the faith, that one receives hope of things that bless us and we stand on that hope and move forward in our faith, trusting that God indeed can make possible those things. And a step beyond assurance, we find conviction, a more deeply rooted stance of not only things hoped for, but things not seen. It is this definition that make the stories found on the pages of our scriptures that which inspire and encourage us to keep moving forward and upward in our daily walk with the Lord. For that reason the next verse states that by faith, our ancestors, both those on the pages of the Bible, and those who were heroes of our lives, received approval. These are what helped give the devotional for today the title; Faith Best Defined is Faith Lived. Our ancestors took the ideals of faith and made them real. Verse 3 lays a foundation for our understanding, and accepting "that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible." It warms our hearts to hear children, and young people affirm their faith and accept for themselves the gift of faith which blesses them for the rest of their lives.
An old, old story told long ago about a wealthy king who called in advisors from around the world and asked them, "What gift can I give my child about to be born?" The first advisor said, "The gift of gold is not easily forgotten and will open doors that may not seem open now. The second advisor said, "The gift of diamonds far exceed gold, for these are droplets of heavenly blessings and they will open doors and windows far into the future. The third advisor said, "Not to downplay the wisdom and sage advice of these colleagues, but there is one gift that will root the child into the present and way into the future, and more importantly is a gift that no one can take away, steal, or destroy; and that is the gift of faith." The king said that he wanted to be trained to share faith with his child.
The list that follows in the verses 8 and following, a list of faith heroes is shared. The Father of the Faith, "Father" Abraham became the father for he was the first to say yes to God and by faith obeyed God and went out to an unknown place. Then the names of Isaac and Jacob are listed, and Sarah; and in verses not read, the list continues.
The question comes, are you and I heroes of the faith in this present age? Will we say, think, and do things that bless others and help them come to faith? I pray that we all answer yes and share the good news that faith shares.
PRAYER: Loving God, bless us with a stronger gift of faith to be those who share and live the faith in ways that bring others to know and love You; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a hero of the faith today!
Receive my blessings of hope and conviction in the faith,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
