WHAT FAITH BRINGS (PART 7)

Can I pray for you in any way?

Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.

In Christ, Mark

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

** Follow The Christian Walk on Twitter @ThChristianWalk

** Like posts and send friend requests to the author of The Christian Walk, Mark Cummings on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mark.cummings.733?ref=tn_tnmn

** Become a Follower of The Christian Walk at http://the-christian-walk.blogspot.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:13-16

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

When a Christian believer holds onto faith, they gain blessings from their steadfast trust in the God who can do all things. That is the truth contained within this 19 message series titled “What Faith Brings” as we glean wonderful assurances from the words found in Hebrews, chapter 11. Here’s what we have learned about what we get from faith through the first six messages:

1. We believe that all things were spoken into being by God just as the Bible depicts.

2. We acknowledge God for His greatness and majesty, bringing Him our absolute best just as He gives us His.

3. We are loyal and devoted to God in the way we live as we walk alongside Him day by day.

4. We feel a holy fear that drives us to do what God commands.

5. We go and do what God wants us to do, wherever He calls us to go.

6. Miracles happen in the lives of those who hold onto their faith in God.

Now, that would maybe be enough on its own right but we still have thirteen messages left, thirteen more things to learn beginning with today’s seventh installment. Look at these words from this wonderful faith chapter of the Bible.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16

How can believers surrender the things of the world while living this earthly existence and place their full trust in God?

Because through their steadfast faith, they come to understand that this world is not their home.

When we looked at Abraham, we read these words:

“...he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:10

And then in today’s passage, we read:

“...they were foreigners and strangers on earth... they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one...God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

The God of Abraham and those who followed his lead of faith afterwards is the same God we keep faith in today. And we are no less foreigners and strangers on earth than they were.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

As soon as believers today place their belief in Jesus through faith, they are saved and gain the blessed assurance of inheriting a better, heavenly country, living in the city God has prepared for them which we know from the Book of Revelation is the New Jerusalem (21:1-2). They are guaranteed to be co-heirs with Jesus to the very Kingdom of Heaven and are formally recognized as children of God (Romans 8:14-17).

Because of faith and belief in Christ, God’s promise of eternal life after this temporary life ends becomes an amazingly, wonderful reality, and brings the truth that nothing we will experience in this temporary existence will ever compare with the incredible glory and blessedness ahead.

And so no matter what this worldly life brings, the best is yet to come. Let us rejoice and be glad in this hope that can never be taken away.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.