3-Jan-15

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Hebrews 11:1-3Faith.  Faith is important to God.  A sure faith for our lives…in Him.  When I think of faith, I see equal parts of believing God, trusting God and having faith in God.  At one time, I wondered if I really could believe.  Then I realized that no belief would take away my reason for being.  I chose to believe.Why did I choose to believe?  His immensity, his creation, cannot be a happenstance.  And this universe of complexity was created by the word of God — spoken into being.  I cannot say – Cake become… and expect a chocolate cake to appear.  I do not have that power — only God does — to create!Faith is connected to action, as our faith grows, our actions reveal our faith in God.  Enoch pleased God and one day he was not seen anywhere any more.  God took Enoch up so that he did not see death.  Through Jesus Christ, we see beyond death to the glory-land called Heaven.  We have the promise of being ‘taken up’ when Jesus comes for us.Enoch pleased God.  Without faith it is impossible to please Him. It isn’t just a ‘get on his good side’ kind of pleasing.  It is drawing near to God and believe He exists.  That is faith.  Having faith in God compels us to live in purity and holiness before Him.  Our life is transformed when we allow ourselves to know and trust God.  That faith in God compounds with interest which begets peace and joy.  When we love like Jesus, we know God.  The Fruit of the Spirit when enumerated lists these three first — love, joy and peace.  These three entwine in our lives and our garden of faith begins to grow.  There is no room in the Garden of Faith for dissent, disbelief or disobedience.  Enoch knew.By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:5-6