Heb 11:1 Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 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.
Heb 11:4 By FAITH Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 11:5 By FAITH Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Heb 11:6 But without FAITH it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7 By FAITH Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by FAITH.
Heb 11:8 By FAITH Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By FAITH he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:11 Through FAITH also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Heb 11:13 These all died in FAITH, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 11:17 By FAITH Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Heb 11:20 By FAITH Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Heb 11:21 By FAITH Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Heb 11:22 By FAITH Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Heb 11:23 By FAITH Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Heb 11:24 By FAITH Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Heb 11:27 By FAITH he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Heb 11:28 Through FAITH he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Heb 11:29 By FAITH they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Heb 11:30 By FAITH the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Heb 11:31 By FAITH the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Heb 11:33 Who through FAITH subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Heb 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through FAITH, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
*******
'It is not the intellectually great that the Church needs; nor is it men of wealth
that the times demand. It is not people of great social influence that this day requires.
Above everybody and everything else, it is men of faith, men of mighty prayer, men
and women after the fashion of the saints and heroes enumerated in Hebrews, who
"obtained a good report through faith," that the Church and the whole wide world of
humanity needs.'
'Today, as much as at any time, we need men of great faith and men
who are great in prayer. These are the two cardinal virtues which make men great in the
eyes of God, the two things which create conditions of real spiritual success in the life
and work of the Church. It is our chief concern to see that we maintain a faith of such
quality and texture, as counts before God; which grasps, and holds in its keeping, the
things for which it asks, without doubt and without fear'
'Doubt and fear are the twin foes of faith. Sometimes, they actually usurp the place of
faith, and although we pray, it is a restless, disquieted prayer that we offer, uneasy and
often complaining. Peter failed to walk on Gennesaret because he permitted the waves
to break over him and swamp the power of his faith. Taking his eyes from the Lord and
regarding the water all about him, he began to sink and had to cry for succour -- "Lord,
save, or I perish!"
Doubts should never be cherished, nor fears harboured. Let none cherish the delusion
that he is a martyr to fear and doubt. It is no credit to any man's mental capacity to
cherish doubt of God, and no comfort can possibly derive from such a thought. OUR EYES SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF SELF, REMOVED FROM OUR OWN WEAKNESS AND ALLOWED TO REST IMPLICITLY UPON GOD'S STRENGTH. "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward." A simple, confiding faith, living day by day, and casting
its burden on the Lord, each hour of the day, will dissipate fear, drive away misgiving
and deliver from doubt:
"Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by supplication and prayer, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God."
That is the Divine cure for all fear, anxiety, and undue concern of soul, all of which are
closely akin to doubt and unbelief. This is the Divine prescription for securing the peace
which passeth all understanding, and keeps the heart and mind in quietness and peace.
All of us need to mark well and heed the caution given in Hebrews: "Take heed,
brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the
living God."
We need, also, to guard against unbelief as we would against an enemy. Faith needs to
be cultivated. We need to keep on praying, "Lord, increase our faith," for faith is
susceptible of increase. Paul's tribute to the Thessalonians was, that their faith grew
exceedingly. Faith is increased by exercise, by being put into use. It is nourished by sore
trials.
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and
glow at the appearing of Jesus Christ."
Faith grows by reading and meditating upon the Word of God. Most, and best of all,
faith thrives in an atmosphere of prayer.'
Quoted from- 'THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER By E.M. BOUNDS' (Excerpt 7)
*******
My thoughts-
Luk 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
2Th 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that YOUR FAITH GROWETH EXCEEDINGLY, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
2Th 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your PATIENCE AND FAITH in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
2Th 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
2Th 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the WORK OF FAITH WITH POWER:
2Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is true, our faith can GROW.
Patience and faith in ALL our PERSECUTIONS and TRIBULATIONS that we endure.
Patience- comprehending that we can't expect any immediate reward whatsoever, that our faith in Jesus is not based on receiving earthly rewards for our belief. Knowing that suffering here and now is our expectation!
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
1Pe 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
1Pe 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
We can and must pray always, believing in our God, in our Savior, in the future He came to earth and died to offer to us. We pray with the comprehension that our lot here and now is to be a trial of our faith. All the men and women of God endured great trials, so why do we imagine that we should not have to do the same. One trial after another the apostles endured until they finally went to their long sleep in death. Most of the apostles suffered horrific deaths. Do we imagine they desired to suffer and eventually die at the hands of others? They didn't want that any more than any of us want to suffer and be murdered in awful ways. They endured it because they had faith in our Savior, faith that anything they were called to endure on this earth was but a temporary situation, whereas our Savior offered eternity in HIS glory! They believed this so strongly they were able to meet every bit of suffering knowing their eventual outcome would be more than worth ANYTHING and EVERYTHING they suffered.
The reality is our faith in Jesus must grow, must constantly be tested. This is the reality we live in. We can't expect to EVER get to a place where suffering won't have to be endured, not here, not now.
'OUR EYES SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF SELF, REMOVED FROM OUR OWN WEAKNESS AND ALLOWED TO REST IMPLICITLY UPON GOD'S STRENGTH.'
TRUTH!
Php_4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
BUT IN EVERYTHING… EVERYTHING… E V E R Y T H I N G… by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our request be made known unto GOD.
Is it any wonder we are told to pray without ceasing, for we are to ever have God before us in all things!
All by HIS GRACE, HIS LOVE, HIS MERCY, may our FAITH increase, praying always, in everything praying.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 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.
Heb 11:4 By FAITH Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 11:5 By FAITH Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Heb 11:6 But without FAITH it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7 By FAITH Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by FAITH.
Heb 11:8 By FAITH Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By FAITH he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:11 Through FAITH also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Heb 11:13 These all died in FAITH, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 11:17 By FAITH Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Heb 11:20 By FAITH Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Heb 11:21 By FAITH Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Heb 11:22 By FAITH Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Heb 11:23 By FAITH Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Heb 11:24 By FAITH Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Heb 11:27 By FAITH he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Heb 11:28 Through FAITH he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Heb 11:29 By FAITH they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Heb 11:30 By FAITH the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Heb 11:31 By FAITH the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Heb 11:33 Who through FAITH subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Heb 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through FAITH, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
*******
'It is not the intellectually great that the Church needs; nor is it men of wealth
that the times demand. It is not people of great social influence that this day requires.
Above everybody and everything else, it is men of faith, men of mighty prayer, men
and women after the fashion of the saints and heroes enumerated in Hebrews, who
"obtained a good report through faith," that the Church and the whole wide world of
humanity needs.'
'Today, as much as at any time, we need men of great faith and men
who are great in prayer. These are the two cardinal virtues which make men great in the
eyes of God, the two things which create conditions of real spiritual success in the life
and work of the Church. It is our chief concern to see that we maintain a faith of such
quality and texture, as counts before God; which grasps, and holds in its keeping, the
things for which it asks, without doubt and without fear'
'Doubt and fear are the twin foes of faith. Sometimes, they actually usurp the place of
faith, and although we pray, it is a restless, disquieted prayer that we offer, uneasy and
often complaining. Peter failed to walk on Gennesaret because he permitted the waves
to break over him and swamp the power of his faith. Taking his eyes from the Lord and
regarding the water all about him, he began to sink and had to cry for succour -- "Lord,
save, or I perish!"
Doubts should never be cherished, nor fears harboured. Let none cherish the delusion
that he is a martyr to fear and doubt. It is no credit to any man's mental capacity to
cherish doubt of God, and no comfort can possibly derive from such a thought. OUR EYES SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF SELF, REMOVED FROM OUR OWN WEAKNESS AND ALLOWED TO REST IMPLICITLY UPON GOD'S STRENGTH. "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward." A simple, confiding faith, living day by day, and casting
its burden on the Lord, each hour of the day, will dissipate fear, drive away misgiving
and deliver from doubt:
"Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by supplication and prayer, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God."
That is the Divine cure for all fear, anxiety, and undue concern of soul, all of which are
closely akin to doubt and unbelief. This is the Divine prescription for securing the peace
which passeth all understanding, and keeps the heart and mind in quietness and peace.
All of us need to mark well and heed the caution given in Hebrews: "Take heed,
brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the
living God."
We need, also, to guard against unbelief as we would against an enemy. Faith needs to
be cultivated. We need to keep on praying, "Lord, increase our faith," for faith is
susceptible of increase. Paul's tribute to the Thessalonians was, that their faith grew
exceedingly. Faith is increased by exercise, by being put into use. It is nourished by sore
trials.
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and
glow at the appearing of Jesus Christ."
Faith grows by reading and meditating upon the Word of God. Most, and best of all,
faith thrives in an atmosphere of prayer.'
Quoted from- 'THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER By E.M. BOUNDS' (Excerpt 7)
*******
My thoughts-
Luk 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
2Th 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that YOUR FAITH GROWETH EXCEEDINGLY, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
2Th 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your PATIENCE AND FAITH in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
2Th 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
2Th 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the WORK OF FAITH WITH POWER:
2Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is true, our faith can GROW.
Patience and faith in ALL our PERSECUTIONS and TRIBULATIONS that we endure.
Patience- comprehending that we can't expect any immediate reward whatsoever, that our faith in Jesus is not based on receiving earthly rewards for our belief. Knowing that suffering here and now is our expectation!
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
1Pe 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
1Pe 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
We can and must pray always, believing in our God, in our Savior, in the future He came to earth and died to offer to us. We pray with the comprehension that our lot here and now is to be a trial of our faith. All the men and women of God endured great trials, so why do we imagine that we should not have to do the same. One trial after another the apostles endured until they finally went to their long sleep in death. Most of the apostles suffered horrific deaths. Do we imagine they desired to suffer and eventually die at the hands of others? They didn't want that any more than any of us want to suffer and be murdered in awful ways. They endured it because they had faith in our Savior, faith that anything they were called to endure on this earth was but a temporary situation, whereas our Savior offered eternity in HIS glory! They believed this so strongly they were able to meet every bit of suffering knowing their eventual outcome would be more than worth ANYTHING and EVERYTHING they suffered.
The reality is our faith in Jesus must grow, must constantly be tested. This is the reality we live in. We can't expect to EVER get to a place where suffering won't have to be endured, not here, not now.
'OUR EYES SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF SELF, REMOVED FROM OUR OWN WEAKNESS AND ALLOWED TO REST IMPLICITLY UPON GOD'S STRENGTH.'
TRUTH!
Php_4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
BUT IN EVERYTHING… EVERYTHING… E V E R Y T H I N G… by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our request be made known unto GOD.
Is it any wonder we are told to pray without ceasing, for we are to ever have God before us in all things!
All by HIS GRACE, HIS LOVE, HIS MERCY, may our FAITH increase, praying always, in everything praying.
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