ULead: Faith

Last night at Flood Zone Drew took the ULead challenge and taught us 2 very important Truths about faith from Hebrews 11:1-3. I wanted to remind you of those Truths and challenge you to live them out THIS WEEK!

Truth 1: Faith has FULL CONFIDENCE in God (Hebrews 11:1-2)
God is faithful to fulfill his promises so we can live with full hope and confidence that our faith will be realized. But we can't expect God to fulfill ALL our hopes. If you hope is for a big house with a pool and 6 cars then God is not obligated to reward your hope of faith. If, however, your hope of faith is in having your every need provided for then you can have full confidence that God will do it. Drew reminded us that we can hope in things that God has already promised in his Word, hope in ways that Christ hoped and hope in ways that honor God and will grow his kingdom.

Truth 2: Faith must trust the Spirit, not senses (Hebrews 11:3)
I love the way that God responds to Job in Job 38:
¹Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
²"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? ³Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.

⁴"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
⁵Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
⁶On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
⁷when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Experience does not make truth. Just because you have not touched, smelled, felt, heard, or seen something does not make it invalid. Faith trusts the Spirit and not just "experience". Much of Christianity leans on trust in the Spirit: creation, resurrection, future glorification (heaven) and more. Faith hopes firmly in these things as it trusts the Spirit.

Begin to deepen you faith (full confidence in God and trust in the Spirit) now and you will see deeper faith and trust in the future. What is God wanting you to have full confidence in him that you have been trusting in your own understanding instead? Trust him this week. Have full confidence in him this week.