Hello Reader,
Thank you so much for being here and welcome!
I'm Quentin, and I sincerely hope this letter helps you get Closer to God, by meditating on his Word.
Today, we'll touch on one key foundation of having a strong relationship with God, and that's- faith.
Faith involves trusting in the character, power, and grace of God.
It's believing in God's goodness, His control over the universe, and His unwavering commitment to His word.
For Christians, faith also means trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, believing in His death and resurrection as the basis for salvation.
This verse I've chose this week, offers a true definition of what faith really is.
Many times when others have struggled with having faith, I've offered this passage to help them, as it's helped me.
We're back in the New Testament this week and the book of Hebrews....
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we don't see."
Hebrews 11:1 · New International Version
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Here's a brief background...
The book of Hebrews is been compared to a "bridge" between the Old and New Testaments.
It focuses on the new covenant that Jesus created in the New Testament, in which fulfills and goes beyond the older covenant established in the Old Testament.
Hebrews has said to have been written to a group of Christians who were being persecuted for their faith and beliefs.
They were considering abandoning their faith to avoid hardships and discrimination.
The words in this book provided examples of Old Testament figures who lived by faith in God's promises, even when those promises seemed distant or impossible from our perspective.
It also encouraged them to hold strong in their faith and establish the superiority of Jesus, his teachings and promises going forward.
Let's break it down...
Faith in what you believe allows you to feel it, without the physical or visual proof needed to validate it.
True faith will be tested many times in your life, but knowing and living your belief deep down inside, keeps you strong in your conviction.
This verse says it so well... "the confidence in what we hope for" and the "assurance of what we do not see."
Hold this passage close when times get tough, or feel your faith slipping.
Hebrews 11:1 is a promise of what faith is, encapsulating its essence from a biblical perspective.
Action Steps...
Having faith is so important in your relationship with God, and your salvation.
How can we build a sturdy "faith foundation", that doesn't waver or fall apart when it is tested in our culture today?
Here are some ways to develop and nurture your faith:
Practice and Choose Trust: Go to the Bible to find God's promises. As you encounter challenges or decisions, remind yourself of these promises and choose to believe that God will fulfill them, even if the outcome is not immediately visible to you.
Cultivate Hope: Harness your faith to develop a hopeful outlook. Realize that you need to focus on God's goodness, and that he's in control of the future. When uncertainties and adversity arise in your life, recognize your hope is not reliant on visible and physical evidence, but on God's unchanging nature and love for you.
Prayer is your power: Prayer is an awesome way to express your faith. Convey your hopes, fears, and needs before God, trusting that He hears and answers according to His will. By praying, you can deepen your relationship God and strengthen your confidence in things you cannot see before you.
Live your Conviction: Your faith needs to your example to the world. Live your faith in your choices and decisions, making sure the outcome of these actions validate and reflect your trust in God.
Share your Faith: Yes, faith is strengthened when you share it with others. This doesn't mean you just talk about it, but live it, by loving, serving and being kind to others.
To Sum It All Up.....
Living by faith means your beliefs and spiritual strength aligns with God's Word and examples he's provided throughout the Bible.
Faith involves a deep-seated trust in God and His promises, even when those promises have not yet materialized and when the evidence of their fulfillment is not visible.
I work on my faith each and every day.
Through meditating on his Word, and his promises and purpose for my life, I find the strength and conviction I need to be strong when I need it the most.
My faith is my shield and armor when I'm tested by the trials of the world.
Remember, God is with you in his Word and message whenever you need it in the pages of the Bible.
When you walk in faith, you're walking with God.
Here's a Prayer Just For You...
Dear Heavenly Father,
Strengthen my faith today, Lord. Allow me to live with unwavering trust in Your good works and divine purpose for my life.
I don't need to see to believe in all that You have done for me and all that You have prepared for me.
I only need to feel the love You have for me, and I know I can depend on Your ways and promises.
Help me build a strong foundation of faith that withstands the storms of life and endures through time.
My faith begins with You and is sustained by Your words.
Amen.
One way to live your faith is spread God's word to others.
Please pass this letter on to someone you care about, and needs to strengthen their faith.
Let's build a faith community together.
Until next time, have a blessed day out there!
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Quentin Schappa
Spiritual Discipleship Life Coach
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If you want to learn more about God's Word and your purpose, check out my website.
