Tag: WithoutFaith

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Not Easily Broken

Those are the words I was given for today. However, the context they were applied to is a new concept for me.

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT

Most of the time this verse is taught on the message conveyed is one of friendship or marriage. Friend helping friend or husband, wife, and God forming a three-fold cord. I agree with both those teachings.

But this morning my thoughts went to I Corinthians 13.

” Love will never end. But all those gifts will come to an end—even the gift of prophecy, the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages, and the gift of knowledge. 9 These will all end because this knowledge and these prophecies we have are not complete. 10 But when perfection comes, the things that are not complete will end.

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, and I made plans like a child. When I became a man, I stopped those childish ways. 12 It is the same with us. Now we see God as if we are looking at a reflection in a mirror. But then, in the future, we will see him right before our eyes. Now I know only a part, but at that time I will know fully, as God has known me. 13 So these three things continue: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:8-13 ERV

The spiritual gifts we have been given will come to end one day. Their purpose will be complete. When we stand face to face with the Father there will no longer be any need for them because we will be complete in His presence.

Until then we need to continue to experience and share the gifts He has given us. These gifts aid us as we grow in our walk with Him from childhood to maturity. The more we learn of God the clearer we see Him and His wonderful love for us.

Three things should continually guide us in our walk; faith, hope and love.

In Christ we have hope, hope for a future and hope makes not ashamed. Then our faith gives life to what we hope for; faith gives hope substance. But without love faith doesn’t work.

“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 NLT

“ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NLT

“Hope never makes us ashamed because the love of God has come into our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us.” Romans 5:5 NLV

” I say this because our hope of being right with God comes through faith. And the Spirit helps us feel sure as we wait for that hope. 6 When someone belongs to Christ Jesus, it is not important if they are circumcised or not. The important thing is faith—the kind of faith that works through love.” Galatians 5:5-6 ERV

Father, I desire to see your love working in me today as I grow in you and to see your love working through me today so that others may see you more clearly. In Jesus name.

The strength we have for today can be found in the three-fold cord of faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love!

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The Cradle to the Cross

The journey continues. Abraham and Sarah have both had name changes – God is calling them father and mother of many people and nations. Hearing this they both laughed; what was impossible in the natural was and is possible with God.

“So she laughed and said to herself, ‘Now that I am worn out and my husband is old, will I really know such happiness?’

13 The Lord asked Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh? Does she doubt that she can have a child in her old age? 14  I am the Lord! There is nothing too difficult for me. I’ll come back next year at the time I promised, and Sarah will already have a son.’” Genesis 18:12-14 CEV

And so, it happened. I hope you will take time to read Abraham and Sarah’s story. It’s such an encouraging one. Neither of them was perfect but God used them anyway. In all of their waiting to have a child they had their share of missteps, but they continued to trust God. (Read Genesis 12-22, it’s a wonderful story)

“The Lord was good to Sarah and kept his promise. 2  Although Abraham was very old, Sarah had a son exactly at the time God had said. 3 Abraham named his son Isaac, 4  and when the boy was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, just as God had commanded.5 Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born, 6 and Sarah said, “God has made me laugh.” Genesis 21:1-5 CEV

Little did Abraham and Sarah know the plan that God had for their son. Their son would be a signpost on the road to the cross. Before he was ever born their son was a sign of God’s faithfulness.

When God makes a promise, He keeps it.

” Abraham’s faith never became weak, not even when he was nearly 100 years old. He knew he was almost dead and that his wife Sarah could not have children. 20 But Abraham never doubted or questioned God’s promise. His faith made him strong, and he gave all the credit to God.

21 Abraham was certain that God could do what he had promised. 22 So God accepted him, 23 just as we read in the Scriptures. But these words were not written only for Abraham. 24 They were written for us, since we will also be accepted because of our faith in God, who raised our Lord Jesus to life. 25  God gave Jesus to die for our sins, and he raised him to life, so that we would be made acceptable to God.” Romans 4:19-25 CEV

From Isaac’s cradle we can look forward and see God’s provision for our salvation. When we look at the cradle we can see the cross.

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An Ark on the Road

Just a few generations after Adam we find his (x7) great grandson Noah.

“The Lord saw how bad the people on earth were and that everything they thought and planned was evil. 6 He was sorry that he had made them, 7 and he said, ‘I’m going to destroy every person on earth! I’ll even wipe out animals, birds, and reptiles. I’m sorry I ever made them.’ 8 But the Lord was pleased with Noah, 9  and this is the story about him. Noah was the only person who lived right and obeyed God.” Genesis 6:5-9 CEV

It’s important to see that even if there is only one person who is living for the Lord He will still provide and protect them.

“Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. 2  It was their faith that made our ancestors pleasing to God…6But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and rewards everyone who searches for him. 7  Because Noah had faith, he was warned about something that had not yet happened. He obeyed and built a boat that saved him and his family. In this way the people of the world were judged, and Noah was given the blessings that come to everyone who pleases God.” Hebrews 11:1,2,6&7 CEV

I’m sure you’ve heard it said that Hebrews, chapter 11, is the Hall of Fame of Faith. It records the deeds of those men and women who lived to please God. Each one had a personal encounter with God. None of them were perfect but their hearts were filled with faith.

The ark was a type of salvation. It provided everything that Noah and his family needed to live and thrive during the flood. God made a way to protect those who loved Him and were willing to follow His plan.

“Eight people went into that boat and were brought safely through the flood. 21 Those flood waters were like baptism that now saves you. But baptism is more than just washing your body. It means turning to God with a clear conscience, because Jesus Christ was raised from death.” I Peter 3:20-21 CEV

Noah and his family were taking steps of faith toward a cross they couldn’t see.

“Noah built an altar where he could offer sacrifices to the Lord. Then he offered on the altar one of each kind of animal and bird that could be used for a sacrifice. 21 The smell of the burning offering pleased the Lord, and he said: ‘Never again will I punish the earth for the sinful things its people do. All of them have evil thoughts from the time they are young, but I will never destroy everything that breathes, as I did this time.'” Genesis 8:20-21 CEV

The promise that God made to Noah is also for us.

“Again, God said to Noah and his sons: 9′ I am going to make a solemn promise to you and to everyone who will live after you...16 When I see the rainbow in the sky, I will always remember the promise that I have made to every living creature. 17 The rainbow will be the sign of that solemn promise.'” Genesis 8:8-17 CEV

The safety of the ark and the promise of the rainbow lead us down the road to the plan of salvation that the cross provides.

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Love and Friendship

I couldn’t stop thinking about the man I told you about yesterday. The man whose friends destroyed another person’s house out of friendship.

This is a story of faith, friendship and love.

“Jesus went back to Capernaum, and a few days later people heard that he was at home. 2 Then so many of them came to the house that there wasn’t even standing room left in front of the door.

Jesus was still teaching 3 when four people came up, carrying a man on a mat because he could not walk. 4 But because of the crowd, they could not get him to Jesus. So they made a hole in the roof above him and let the man down in front of everyone.

5 When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven.”

6 Some of the teachers of the Law of Moses were sitting there. They started wondering, 7 “Why would he say such a thing? He must think he is God! Only God can forgive sins.”

8 At once, Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said, “Why are you thinking such things? 9 Is it easier for me to tell this man his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and pick up his mat and go on home? 10 I will show you that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” So Jesus said to the man, 11 “Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home.”

12 The man got right up. He picked up his mat and went out while everyone watched in amazement. They praised God and said, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:1-12 CEV

Let’s look at the characters in this story: the 4 friends, the lame man, the crowd, the people in the house, the homeowner and Jesus. Who do you identify with?

The four friends had heard of Jesus and the miracles He had been doing. They had a friend who couldn’t walk but they knew Jesus could heal him if they could just get him there. They lay everything aside for the love of their friend.

The man. He was helpless. His friends came in and said, “we’re taking you to see Jesus, he will heal you”. Had the man even heard of Jesus? Where were they taking him? Through the streets of town? Up on the roof? “You’re going to do what?”

The crowd. They came to hear and see Jesus, but they were content to listen from outside. Don’t cause a fuss, just hope to see him when he left the meeting.

Those in the house. Religious leaders and prominent men of the town. Skeptical about this newcomer to their region. They had heard about Him but felt He was probably a charlatan.

The homeowner. He had heard of this newcomer, Jesus. Heard he could do miracles and invited Him to his home. And now some religious fanatics had torn off his roof.

Jesus. Sincere motives, pure heart. Reaching out to all who would listen. Moved with compassion. Undisturbed by conflict and criticism. Doing the works of His loving Father.

“6 But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and rewards everyone who searches for him.” Hebrews 11:6 CEV

Which character/characters do you identify with? The four friends on a mission? The man with the problem? The skeptics?

Friendship met the love of God and they were rewarded for their faith.

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