Your Daily Devotional for May 20, 2007

 

May 20,  2007

 

 

Living by Faith

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

 

Hebrews 11:1-3

 

 

Hebrews 11 has long been known as the "faith chapter" of the Bible. It chronicles the lives of men and women of the Bible who showed faith in the face of adversity. We see the stories of how as these people trusted God, He blessed their faith.

 

Faith is simply believing God. When we believe God's Word and what He has promised us, we can trust that God has everything under control. We must have faith that God knows what is going on and that He has our best interest in mind! When we have faith, we can trust God when He says in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

 

A life of faith is not characterized by doubt or fear. When we trust God and place our lives into His hands, we can have faith that He will guide us in the direction we need to go. While many people worry about finances, direction, and life after death, we can have confidence when God controls our lives!

 

While having faith in God assures us of His guidance and protection, having faith in God is a choice. We must choose to place our trust in Christ and let Him have control of our lives. We cannot live by faith if we are creating a "back-up plan" for our lives. We must trust Christ fully with our lives!

 

A traveler in the early days of the West came to the Mississippi River and discovered there was no bridge. Fortunately, it was winter and the great river was sheeted over with ice. But the traveler was afraid to cross, not knowing how thick it was. Finally, with infinite caution, he crept on his hands and knees and managed to get halfway over. He then heard singing from behind. Cautiously he turned, and there, out of the dusk, came another traveler, driving a four-horse load of coal over the ice, singing as he went!

 

The traveler in the wagon had faith that the ice would hold him, but the first traveler would have never known the power of the ice, because he did not trust it. We can trust our God! We can trust His guidance in our lives, but we must choose to trust Him and live by faith.

 

Are you living by faith? Faith does not hesitate or falter when asked to do the impossible! We know our God is mighty and powerful, and He can do all things! Ask Christ to help you live by faith today.

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

1 Chronicles 10-12 • John 6:45-71

---

================================================
THIS IS AN AUTOMATED MESSAGE PLEASE DO NOT REPLY
================================================
Manage your online subscriptions at
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-login.aspx

To Unsubscribe from this list please follow this link
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-unsubscribe.aspx?s=4159&l=1