Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
1“What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. 2 GOD gave HIS approval to people in days of old because of their faith.” ~ Hebrews 11:1-2
Do you remember how you felt when you were very young and your birthday approached? You were excited and anxious. You knew you would certainly receive gifts and other special treats. But some things would be a surprise. Birthdays combine assurance and anticipation, and so does faith! Faith is the conviction based on past experience that GOD’s new and fresh surprises will surely be ours.
The beginning point of faith is believing in GOD’s character: HE is who HE says HE is. The end point is believing in GOD’s promises: HE will do what HE says HE will do. When we believe that GOD will fulfill HIS promises even though we do not see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith.
24 “One of the disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he replied, ‘I will not believe it unless I see the nail wounds in His hands, put my finger into them, and place my hand into the wound in His side. 26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. He said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27 Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see My hands. Put your hand into the wound in My side. Do not be faithless any longer. Believe!’ 28 ‘My Lord and my GOD!’ Thomas exclaimed. 29 Then Jesus told him, ‘You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who have not seen Me and believe anyway.’” – John 20:24-29 – Jesus was not being hard on Thomas for his doubts. Despite his skepticism, Thomas was still loyal to the believers and to Jesus Himself. Some people need to doubt before they believe. If doubt leads to questions, questions lead to answers, and the answers are accepted, then doubt has done good work. It is when doubt becomes stubbornness and stubbornness becomes a life-style that doubt harms faith. When you doubt, do not stop there. Let your doubt deepen your faith as you continue to search for the answer.
Faith see’s the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible. It is the single most powerful force in our lives. With it few things are impossible. Without it life is meaningless.
Father YOU are who YOU say YOU are. YOU do what YOU say YOU will do. We have the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. Our faith is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. We believe the incredible so that we can receive the impossible.
Photo: Hotel Le Chateau Frontenac (Old Quebec City, Canada)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
