The city that exists beyond a town called ‘Reason’
I’ve been reading the Bible book Hebrews a lot lately…and it’s taking me on a very special journey with God. I would love to share a few thoughts I gained while listening…
"What is this light you speak of?"
FAITH
Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” - ESV
“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see” – MSG
“Wat is geloof dan? Dit is ‘n vaste versekering dat die dinge waarna ons uitsien, inderdaad sal gebeur. Dit is die bewys dat God die dinge wat ons nog nie kan sien, waar sal maak” – NLV
Hebrews 11:6 – “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”
“The Noah rule: Predicting rain doesn’t count; building arks does.”
Noah didn’t have ANY human-like guarantee that the rain would come, but he trusted God in doing something silly like building a HUGE wooden ship and fill it with animals…
The moral of the story? – Trust God, even if it sounds whack. Seek Him and listen, He’ll reward you in whatever way. God saved Noah and his family – and they’re apart of God’s greater/bigger story of FAITH/HOPE/LOVE.
Hebrews 11:7 – “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.
How did the faith of Abraham look?
Hebrews 10:11 – “Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations – the City designed and built by God.”
Moses chose to suffer with his people for his God.
Hebrews 11: 24-27 – “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible”
What about us? What does this mean to us?
The Bible clearly states what these stories of faith mean to us, and how they are applicable to our lives…
Hebrews 11:39-40 - “Not one of these people, even through their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: That their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours”
These people never even saw how it looks after the crucifixion of Jesus, yet they had amazing faith…
Our faith in God is a part of God’s greater story of Salvation for the world. We have seen the cross!! What is there to doubt for in this faith?
Faith goes beyond reason. Faith is what makes the Bible the true Word of God.
Faith goes beyond understanding – it goes into the sphere of experiencing / feeling.
We need to have faith in Jesus, for He is our hope and He is our Love.
We need to have Hope in the Second coming of Jesus, and have everlasting Hope that His Love will transform our lives.
We need to Love Jesus passionately, we need to Love others so that they can see the Hope of Christ, and we need to express this Love of Jesus, through living lives of true faith!
Keep on seeking for the unseen city designed and built by God, and don’t lose faith – endure everything, then we’ll receive the salvation of God…
Can I link this to my page? You present this in an undiluted and simple way. Thank you.
you are more than welcome! sorry for the late reply!
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