Hebrews 11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

² For by it the elders obtained a good report.

³ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

⁴ By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

⁵ By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

⁷ By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

⁸ By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

⁹ By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

¹⁰ For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

¹¹ Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

¹² Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

¹⁴ For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

¹⁵ And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

¹⁶ But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

¹⁸ Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

¹⁹ Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

²² By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

²³ By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

²⁴ By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

²⁵ Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

²⁶ Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

²⁸ Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

³¹ By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

³² And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

³³ Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

³⁴ Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

³⁶ And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

³⁸ (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

³⁹ And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

⁴⁰ God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

It is easy to tell others to have faith when they are going through some trial; but, what about those moments when the whispering lies of doubt cloud into our minds?  What about those times when God says, wait and the years keep rolling by without the answer coming?  What about the times when your job is gone and endless nights of prayer result still in no job coming?  What about those missionaries in some land where they are tortured with no relief in sight?  Do we only believe God when His answer comes quickly and we get what we want? Or do we trust Him still when our whole world is falling apart; believing that His plan for us is good–regardless of the momentary circumstances which look desperately hopeless?  What about those moments in which our faith fails us and we feel that our heart has fallen into some pit of despair.  Does God desert us there?  Take another glance at this wondrous faith hall of fame.  What is accounted here are those moments of great faith of those listed.  Yet, if you read the scriptures these great men and women of faith also had there moments and seasons of doubt.  Abraham, for fear told the King Abimelech that his wife Sarah was his sister and even allowed Abimelech to take Sarah to wed until God intervened.  Abraham, believing that God would provide a son as he had promised decided to help God as Sarah became old with no child born.  So Abraham (wanting to help God keep His promise) took Sarah’s maid to wed and thus Ishmael was born.  God doesn’t walk away when our faith fails us; rather He gently guides us to the next step to where our faith continues to grow.  So, if you find yourself in a moment where your faith seems to fail you, pray.  Remember all the times in the past that God has carried you through a dark valley.  Remember, all the covenant promises which God has promised to you. (That means you need to read your Bible or you won’t know what those promises are).  Finally, always remember that this life–the entirety of it is but a blink of the eye compared to eternity in the presence of God.  So, if God were to choose that your life here is sacrifice, pain, and sorrow for the growth of the Kingdom or the salvation of one soul; keep on believing that God is in control and that His plan is one of love for you as He rejoices over you with singing, comforted in His love.  The ultimate, final end of this story of my life’s journey is not about me only–it is about Christ.  Whose eternity might be changed because of my seasons of pain or suffering as someone else watches on?  Can this selfish, covetous heart lay aside all other desire to march on step by step, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."  Hebrews 12:2. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZnxkBNROBw



Ephesians 4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

² With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

³ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

⁵ One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

⁷ But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

⁸ Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

⁹ (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

¹⁰ He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

¹¹ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

¹² For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

¹³ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

¹⁴ That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

¹⁶ From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

There are some who would say for peace we must accept all beliefs as though they are truth; yet, Paul is very clear here that we must teach only the truth of the Gospel and not be persuaded to compromise truth for the sake of peace. Still, there is a great warning here as well that we are to do this with meekness, gentleness, long-suffering, and love in the same manner as Christ.  We are to live out the life of Christ in our bodies, spirits, and minds in such a manner as to draw others to the truth of the Gospel by means of kindness and gentleness of heart and voice.  Bickering among the Christians, gossiping and fighting are not the manner in which we reach out to a world in need of a Savior.  We must remember that God’s grace and mercy is what saved us.  I have nothing good within me that would have caused Christ to choose me.  If there is anything good that I have ever done, it has been when I cast aside my selfish, covetous heart to allow Christ to reign through me.  In this, I am ashamed to say; many times I have failed and I must be reminded that if I am to be an effectual teacher of Christ’s love, I must each morning go to Him to ask that He give me the grace I need for today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PGJ2_Wy78c



I Peter 1: ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

⁶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

⁷ That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Peter had walked with Christ.  He had at times shown moments of great faith followed by moments in the which his pride stood in the way.  His zeal would cause him to declare that he would never allow Christ to die; yet, when the courts were being held against Christ–in fear he denied Christ three times. He had only hours before declared that he would die with Christ and now he had failed to stand by Christ through the most agonizing moments of Christ’s life.  I am certain that suddenly as all pride drained from Peter and he became overwhelmed with the guilt and the knowledge that he was a failure; he became so certain that Christ would never be able to use him again.  Why would Christ use someone whose faith was so poor and who always seemed to get it wrong?  Christ realized the agony that Peter was about to enter and Christ knew that the only hope for Peter and for all the world was to become reality as He took their sins, their selfish pride, their unbelief, and their guilt with Him to the cross; where He would pay the penalty for their sin.  Justice demanded that the price for sin be paid so that the relationship between perfect righteousness and sinful man be redeemed for all who would believe and accept the gift of salvation.  The price was paid on Calvary as Christ was thrust into hell and separation from God the Father and Holy Spirit for three days.  On the third day, Christ rose from the grave–the payment was accepted as payment in full for all who would believe.  When he had risen, Christ told them to go and tell his apostles and Peter of His resurrection.  What amazing grace!  Peter was ecstatic that Christ was risen and that all the prophecies were fulfilled; yet, Peter did not believe that God could use a failure like himself and he returned to fishing.  Christ came to the shore, the same shore where Peter had first met Christ; to restore Peter into the ministry.  Peter had never been rejected, only Peter didn’t know that at first.  It was only now that Peter was ready to be the preacher that Christ could use.  Stripped of all self pride; now, Peter was ready to be used by Christ and mirror the reflection of Christ to the world.  The light of God’s Grace and Glory could now be shone off a mirror polished and empty.  A mirror must reflect and does not have it’s own light (rather it is devoid of it’s own self).  Now with all that in mind, reread the passage of scripture above.  Imagine the passion within the heart of God’s servant Peter.  Hope, Faith, Rejoicing are his words.  He even rejoiced in the trials and the agonies that he had endured through the trying of his faith; for now he understood that the most precious treasure was the relationship he had with Christ Jesus.  He understood that there was no pain too great to suffer on this earth for the eternal salvation of one soul.  He now knew that the only work which mattered in the kingdom was that work performed through Christ’s power in his life and that his only place was to empty himself of his own desires and hope of self exaltation so that Christ’s Glory might be reflected off the mirror of his life.  He could now lay down all searches for counterfeit joys on this earth for the wondrous Joy of Knowing Christ.  His relationship with God became his greatest treasure for which he was truly willing to sacrifice it all.  Now his heart meant what his words had vainly spoken before. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PIVaadNe2w

2 Thessalonians 2: ¹³ But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

¹⁴ Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

¹⁶ Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

¹⁷ Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Three years ago, I went to Pets by Judy.  I had read carefully his profile and I wanted to meet and adopt Jason. Jason was getting older and had been returned to the shelter many times.  Every potential home had ended in his return to the shelter and the cages where he lived.   When I arrived, the shelter showed me other dogs and other options instead of bringing out Jason.    I almost left with a different dog; but at the last minute the other dog snapped at me and I said, “I cannot help a dog whom I am afraid of.” So,  I firmly said,  “I came to see Jason; please let me see him."Reluctantly, they cleared the area of other dogs and brought out this Rottweiler/Hound mix who was obviously older and looked a little anxious.  He apparently did not get along well with other dogs.  I took him for a short walk and he would pull hard in various directions; but when I pulled him tighter he responded.   Then I told them, “ I want him."  Off we went home where he became the best friend, protector, and the best dog I could have ever had.  I never caged him; because I knew he had been caged enough in his life.  He responded to my love and was devoted completely to me.  Whatever room I was in, he was there.  Gradually any behavior that he realized displeased me changed.  He quit digging in the trash and I didn’t have to hide it anymore.  He quite pulling against me when he saw a dog or cat as we walked.  His greatest joy was to just sit in my presence.  Doctrinal truth, I am uncertain whether animals go to heaven or not; but Thursday night Jason passed on.  His last years of his life were transformed because I chose him.  My life was definitely brighter because of his love and devotion toward me.

I would say that the same is true of me.  God chose me to be His child and He gently through His love has transformed me.  He has shown everlasting love and hope through His grace toward me.  I, much like Jason, am so devoted to Him–desiring to always be by His side, learning of Him or just sitting in His presence is enough.  God’s grace still amazes me, each and every day of my life.  Because I see God’s Overwhelming Love, Mercy and Grace toward me; I am transformed little by little, mercy by mercy into the likeness of Christ.  Please listen to the following song–I know the words will uplift you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNClAJO2tnQ

Ecclesiastes 12:  Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,

Daniel 1:³ And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;

⁴ Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

⁵ And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

⁶ Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

⁷ Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

⁸ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank….¹⁷ As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom:

I Timothy 4: ¹¹ These things command and teach.

¹² Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

It is so amazing to watch young people who are certain of their identity in Christ and who are willing to take a stand.  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were such young men.  The King brought them before himself to question why they would not worship his gods and when they refused, he had them thrown into a fiery furnace.  Facing the possibility of death, they would not waiver.  Their answer to the king was recorded in Daniel 3: "

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

¹⁷ If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

¹⁸ But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." 

He threw them into the fiery pit where Christ came and walked with them. 

"²⁴ Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

²⁵ He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

²⁶ Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

²⁷ And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

²⁸ Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

The question is, whatever your age, do you know your identity in Christ?

I met a young man in Atlanta who does.  His name is Brandon Maye.  May God continue to bless him and guide each step of his journey.  Go to his website to learn more of his story.  http://brandonmaye.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=fe7G8La-qSo&NR=1