"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd." Hebrews 11: 1-2 MSG
Have you ever taken time to consider what faith means? If you had to write a definition of faith what would you include? I did this recently as I was preparing to lead and write on faith. If I was to describe faith to someone, how would I describe it, I asked. I started with how I have seen faith lived in front of me. For me, it is fervent life long prayers that God answered in the last few years. My dad had the opportunity to completely understand the gospel and profess his belief. My children are getting to live their dream for post graduation and excelling at everything. Friendships and relationships have healed from unforgiveness and mistrust. Lives are being changed by the gospel to even the youngest kids through Parkway Church. I have seen the fruit of faith, but that did not help me define faith.
In the verse quoted above, that you may have learned forever ago as "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 NIV, I found the best way to describe faith through the Message translation. Faith is the firm foundation that makes life worth living. In other words faith is not just good for eternity it is good for every day. Faith is good when I'm struggling with health and pain every morning to get me going. Faith is good when I am confused with life around me and the choices some people make. Faith is best when I use it every day. So the question becomes, how much faith do I have? Do I really believe God can help me in every situation?
Can I tell you what helps me focus on God each day? Spending time with Him. Focused time where I pray for God to open my eyes and heart to what I am reading in my Bible today. Reading His Word and meditating on the words I read each day so that I can live with faith. Being vulnerable with loved ones and trusted people that I struggle with fear of failure and letting others down because I didn't do something the right way. Asking God to search my heart and know my inward thoughts and confessing that I need God to help me work past my fears and short comings. I think this is what I have needed my whole life, but I filled my life with busyness instead.
Is there just one of these things you could start doing today? Start small and keep adding till all of a sudden you have a new routine that is so life giving you can't imagine not doing it again. If you want help finding a way to get started, join a small group. Community is where we all find ways to grow in our faith. Your kids love their small groups, every time they are with us! Join them in finding ways to grow in your faith so that it makes life worth living. Hope is contagious and there is plenty to go around.
Kristi Hurt- Director of All Star Kids Parkway Victoria
Have you ever taken time to consider what faith means? If you had to write a definition of faith what would you include? I did this recently as I was preparing to lead and write on faith. If I was to describe faith to someone, how would I describe it, I asked. I started with how I have seen faith lived in front of me. For me, it is fervent life long prayers that God answered in the last few years. My dad had the opportunity to completely understand the gospel and profess his belief. My children are getting to live their dream for post graduation and excelling at everything. Friendships and relationships have healed from unforgiveness and mistrust. Lives are being changed by the gospel to even the youngest kids through Parkway Church. I have seen the fruit of faith, but that did not help me define faith.
In the verse quoted above, that you may have learned forever ago as "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 NIV, I found the best way to describe faith through the Message translation. Faith is the firm foundation that makes life worth living. In other words faith is not just good for eternity it is good for every day. Faith is good when I'm struggling with health and pain every morning to get me going. Faith is good when I am confused with life around me and the choices some people make. Faith is best when I use it every day. So the question becomes, how much faith do I have? Do I really believe God can help me in every situation?
Can I tell you what helps me focus on God each day? Spending time with Him. Focused time where I pray for God to open my eyes and heart to what I am reading in my Bible today. Reading His Word and meditating on the words I read each day so that I can live with faith. Being vulnerable with loved ones and trusted people that I struggle with fear of failure and letting others down because I didn't do something the right way. Asking God to search my heart and know my inward thoughts and confessing that I need God to help me work past my fears and short comings. I think this is what I have needed my whole life, but I filled my life with busyness instead.
Is there just one of these things you could start doing today? Start small and keep adding till all of a sudden you have a new routine that is so life giving you can't imagine not doing it again. If you want help finding a way to get started, join a small group. Community is where we all find ways to grow in our faith. Your kids love their small groups, every time they are with us! Join them in finding ways to grow in your faith so that it makes life worth living. Hope is contagious and there is plenty to go around.
Kristi Hurt- Director of All Star Kids Parkway Victoria