By Faith Alone - One

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." ~Hebrews 11:1-3(NKJV)1

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." ~Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

"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. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see." ~The Message

It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. ~Hebrews 11:6 (The Message)

"By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.""By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death.""By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land and acted on what he was told.""By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home...he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents.""By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant."'By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac.""By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.""By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.""By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel."By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents.""By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter""By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king...he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood...they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land.""By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.""By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace."All of the above is found in Hebrews chapter eleven, which I read today and was greatly encouraged by.

The question for us to ponder is this. Are we, who have received the promised Messiah, living in faith and by faith? Selah

S. Paul

DIGGING DEEPER
Psalm 91
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.

1 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011-13&version=NKJV