Thursday Devo

Read Luke 11:29-32. Romans 8:24 says, "For in this hope we are saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Thomas was told after he touched Jesus, "Blessed are you who have not seen and yet believe."

Remember the faith of the Centurion in Chapter 7. A man who wasn't even a Jew - saving merely a servant and he had a faith that "amazed" Jesus! These people are the Centurion's opposites! Jesus started this chapter talking about prayer. Our faith can be seen clearly by our prayer life. It takes much faith to keep praying for something when we can't see the results.

I just did some ceramic tile at the house and it was so cool to do something and then see the actual results of my hand. Most of ministry doesn't work that way. The Christian life many times doesn't work that way. We work and minister - love others and pray its impacting those we help long term. We befriend the week, we encourage others to go to church, we hope and long for that which we can't see. Believe that he who promised is able and will guard what he promised for the day of his return.

If you ever feel warn out because you're living by faith just think of these guys in Luke 11. How worn out they get by not living by faith. The reality is - faithless living is a long dark road. If we can't live beyond what we see we'll be miserable people. Imagine only loving those that you knew 100% for sure would love you back. Imagine helping those you knew 100% for sure would say thank you. Imagine forgiving only those you new 100% for sure would stop hurting you. Imagine trying only those things that you knew 100% for sure you would accomplish. 

We wouldn't do anything, love anyone or have any friends. Faith propels us past logic, past the past, past our fears. It pulls us up when people have put us down because in faith we believe God can resurrect our hearts. It moves us forward at work to do our best even when our boss may not notice again. Jesus is the object of our faith and he motivates us to keep living - He empowers us with his spirit to live the great adventure before us.

questions

1) what time in your life was faith the only thing that pulled you through?

2) Is it always wrong to ask God for a sign?

3) If you could ask God for more faith in one specific area - what would it be? Ask him!

prayer

Lord we don't want to be like those in Jonah's day who refused to believe simply at God's word- those who needed a sign to believe. We want the passion of the queen of Sheba who traveled far to simply see and hear and be amazed. Give us endurance in the areas our faith wanes. Give us strength in the place we are weak today. We throw ourselves at your feet - we are poor of spirit - bankrupt without you. We believe you rose Jesus from the dead and you can resurrect faith in our hearts - do it Lord by the power of your name Jesus!