[Faith-talk] Good Night Message for Thursday, November 15 2012

[Paul]

Well, that time has come around once again, that time for us in North America to prepare to retire for the evening.  Those of you in Europe or the UK are probably dead to the world as this is being written, whereas you in Australia and New Zealand are hopefully enjoying a pleasant Friday afternoon.

The topic of faith is the subject of today's contribution by Ruth Andrews, and her submission is simply entitled "Faith," rendered as follows:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1).

>From the window of my plane, I see mounds of white clouds. To the eye, the clouds look like snow from which I could build a snowman. I can hope all I want, but those clouds, as solid as they appear, are not going to hold me up.

Faith is trusting in what we cannot see.

Daniel in the lions' den did not dwell on the lions but had faith in God to deliver him. When the Israelites were ready to enter the Promised Land, two saw Canaan. The majority saw the giants, and that generation missed God's promise.

Faith is trusting someone we deem worthy of our trust. I had faith that the airplane pilot was skilled to fly the plane and to safely land at the appointed destination.

There are things we should not place our faith in. I have had several major ear surgeries. It would have been foolish to place any trust in someone unskilled in the specialty.

Real faith requires some action. James 2:17 reads, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." Faith is a gift from God, but we must exercise it.

We cannot be saved without believing that God sent His Son, Jesus, to save us.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that we cannot please God without faith. Some people will not accept Jesus as Savior because it seems too simple, too easy. They think there must be more to it.

You are offered a valuable gift. You did nothing to deserve it, but it is yours. We do not deserve God's gift of salvation, but by faith it is ours.

Salvation is by an act of faith, not works, so that no one can boast (cf. Eph. 2:8-9). We show our faith by our works (Jas. 2:20-22).

After we become Christ's children, we have to give our faith a chance to grow. Each time you see a prayer answered or see God working in your life, faith grows. As you read God's Word, watch for God's promises. You will begin to recognize that God has the power to take care of every need.

As you claim those promises, you will see that faith in our heavenly Father is never misplaced trust.

And there you have Sister Ruth's article for this day.  It is hoped that it ministered to you.

And now may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and collectively, throughout this night or day and especially in these last days in which we live. Your Christian friend and brother, Paul