SUBSTANCE/EVIDENCE
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 11
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
On the side of the replica of Moses’ Tabernacle at Timna Park in Israel, you can see Cherubim designed into the side curtains that keep the sun off the Holy Place and Holy of Holies. Our readings in Hebrews teach us about the activities which took place in the first tent Tabernacle. These ancient people had faith to believe that the design of their tent of worship and sacrifice depicted the actual approach to God, which is in Heaven above. They illustrated our key verse for today.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
“Faith” is absolutely essential to our eternal salvation and to enjoying success in our temporary life here on earth. Nicodemus, of the Jewish denomination of the Pharisees, and “a ruler of the Jews,” came to Jesus secretly and confessed his faith struggles. Jesus summed up His teaching to Nicodemus with these words, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). We may want to take the time to read the entirety of John’s third chapter (click here). Eternal life is the most far-reaching result of our faith, and there are many other results as well. Take, for example, the vitally important matter of answered prayer. James 1:6-8 tells us, “Let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all his ways!” Before we despair of our lack of faith, let us remember that “faith” is both a gift of the Spirit of God to us (1 Corinthians 12a), and also a fruit of the Spirit (faithfulness), which grows in our lives as branches that are securely attached to the vine (the trunk) of the Lord Jesus Himself (Galatians 5:22). God does this in us! Rest in Him! Faith is produced in us as we read the Word of God daily. Romans 10:17 encourages us to keep reading God’s Word. We can all do that! “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God!”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, Help me to rest in You, knowing that as I soak in Your Word every day, I am receiving Your gift of faith, and as a result I am full of faith (faithfulness). I pray for greater hope and confidence than ever as I take this journey through Your Word each day. I rest on this secure “Substance/Evidence.” In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Yes, I read the Scriptures every day, but I know it has an increased impact on me when I hear the Scriptures read, either out loud by my own voice or by the voice of the one who reads for me when I click the spot at the top of the blog. It may be that by taking in the Word of God with both my eyes as well as both my ears, there is a double impact on my heart and mind. I’d like to hear from blog participants as to whether or not you find it to be true that you receive more if you both read and hear God’s Word. It does seem to be reasonable that if two of my senses are active in receiving, it will have a greater influence than just one.
I remind myself regularly that Hebrews 11 may be the only chapter in the Bible that seems to assume that many more names will be added in future generations. I know of people whose names would fit in with the heroes of faith listed here. I long to follow their examples faithfully.
Yours for the “substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen”,
David
P.S. Behind me in the photo below is the “Shrine of the Book.” It encloses, under the clay jar-shaped dome, the complete scroll of the book of the prophet Isaiah, which was discovered in a cave in Qumran as one of the many Dead Sea Scrolls. Isaiah is filled with prophecies predicting the birth and the ministry of the Messiah. Starting today I want to attach the first of five Christmas specials I hosted from Bethlehem (click here).
for me when this blog started Biblegateway.com was great for someone reading the Scriptures, however, this past year something has changed. it will read one chapter and I have to shut everything down and reset then another chapter will be read! I enjoy having someone read the Scriptures because it seemed like having someone else in the room with me…..
I am praying I get a tablet and apparently it will be a little easier to do this blog…..
your looking very well Mr. Mainse and thank you for posting the Christmas specials…..
fabulous Christmas special! Enjoyed it very much! Thank you again Mr. Mainse!
I’m having the same problem. Last week was good. It shut down after the designated reading. Today, it went on and on and I had to shut everything down. I made a decision to just read myself as it is such a difficulty in doing that. I never know ahead of time if it will shut down so I can go on to the blog. The speech part does not open on my Iphone, however, so I really like to read/listen on my computer. I do appreciate the extra information, i.e. pictures from Israel and extra readings. Thank you so much.
Oh, amen, David–to Hebrews 11, all the scripture verses pertaining to faith, your prayer, today, and message. Definitely the double dose of reading the scripture and hearing it read aloud, allow God’s Word to sink into our minds and hearts more effectively. “Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” We find our strength in the Lord, Jesus, Emmanuel, our Saviour, King, and Prince of Peace! Blessings dear fellow saints!
O Holy Night, Josh Groban
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17kiIIxSdC0
that was special…thank you Beverlee!
People all around the world are enjoying your daily blog. Making Christmas calls to folk and they are rejoicing in your blogs and praying for you also. Thank you. ( Enjoy my daily poetic devotionals.Inspired by O. Chambers- My Utmost- and then click on date you want)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow…to rest in You Jesus is my desire…by faith trusting in You as I soak in You…Your Word!!! Thank you Jesus for this daily Word…You give us through Your faithful servant David Mainse and his assistants!!
Merry Christmas to you David and Norman-Jean Mainse and to all your family and a blessed and prosperous New Year!!!
and a Merry Christmas to all you bloggers and a Blessed and Prosperous New Year!!
Yes, thank you David. I must say that “”hearing””the words spoken each day in your blog brings me a relaxing feeling to start my day. Reading it also confirms what I’ve just heard!!
Merry Christmas to ALL of your family and 100 Hunley family too.
God Bless.
Jenny.
I have only been reading the Scriptures as I can take my time and meditate on them. Love this chapter on faith and I would add your name to that list, David for sure, as faith in God produced that beautiful Crossroads building. Amen? Have not missed any readings since the beginning in 2012 and value them very highly. Had the privilege of singing “O Holy Night” in church yesterday. Blessings on everyone today!
I really enjoy being able to read and listen at the same time, I thank you so much for your faithfulness. I have been with this for more than 2 years now and will carry on as long as possible. I’m praying for you and your family. God bless you
I count on your blog every day David. Thank you .
Today I am writing to say Merry Christmas to you & Norma Jean and the Mainse family. Sincerely Debbie Timmons
Yes, I too am better able to absorb all God’s truth when I read it and when I hear it read, and even better when I read it twice (as you have suggested before:). I knew of a young Mom who was going through such a hard time she said she went to sleep at night with her Bible on her chest, sometimes I can relate to that too. When you need the promises of God so close, you want to wake up in the night and know they are there!
Blessings of the Peace that comes at Christmas to you and yours.
Thank you Katie for sharing what this young woman of faith would do. I can truly relate to this bible on my heart image. Godbless you
Good morning blessing David M. I also find to read aloud the scriptures helps me ‘hear’ and ‘see’ with deeper understanding and helps me retain what I am reading better. Plus I like to keep a journal of those verses that seem to ‘speak’ to me, writing what I feel it is saying to me, following the S.O.A P. method.
Thank you David for the reminder of the audio link-I was doing both for a while but slipped back to just reading. Definitely doing both is even more powerful than a double-dose. In HEARING the Word I also FEEL His touch!! God Bless you and all bloggers!
Yes Yes I love to hear and to follow with
reading at the same time …It is so much more of
an inpack of His word ,keep up the good work..
And a merry Christmas to you all David and staff…
And all you bloggers….. R…..
Also want to thank you David for all the work
you do to make this blog such a sucess ….R…
Thanks, David, for your continued faithfulness. I’ve taught for many years that there is a greater impact when we both hear and speak the words. In fact, there are three gateways to the subconscious mind when we do so: 1. The visual, since we first see it to read it; 2. The vocal or oral, since we read and speak it; and 3. The auditory, since we also hear it. Whenever I read Hebrews 11 in one setting, I’m always impressed by the “others” to which the writer refers… without hardly stopping for air… so they’re placed in the same category as those who did and saw the mighty works of the miraculous. Christmas blessings to you, Norma-Jean and your family.
Dear David,
I absolutely love the audio feauture of the bible. I was raised listening to radio and later on worked in broadcasting for many years. So, God knew that when He showed me that I could listen to His word on my Ipad. I listen to different versions of it. I listen to it while preparing food, cleaning house, or just with my eyes closed. tHe word of God was spoken first and I take that to heart. I also read His word as I follow you with my brothers and sisters everyday, but I have to say that hearing the word of God resonates with me deeply in French and/or in English. How privileged we are with today’s technologye to immerse ourselves in His truth. The more I listen and read His word, the less I risk to pollute my heart with the world’s perspective. More of God, more of Him Amen!
Asking for prayers that IV medicine /antibiotics will heal the infection in my left lower leg, as it is a serious infection and that my health will be restored. So thankful for my Bible readings and that I can Pray through these trials.
I must say that there is properly a lot of truth to both see and hearing the Word, but I will just keep reading the word. I find that having the word read for me, it goes to fast. I want to concentrate on each word or phrase. So that’s why I will keep just reading. I am not saying this is the best for everyone, but it is the best way for me to only read the word.
Enjoyed the Christmas presentation from Bethlehem…thank you David!!
I find hearing the scripture read and reading it at the same time…more meaningful!!!
a young mom who tried to go to sleep at night was being tortured at night by the devil, she phoned a prayer line and was told to read a Psalm before going to bed and to lay the Bible on her chest opened at the Psam she read. she did, and she never had any problems anymore!
Great Christmas Presentation from Bethlehem.
Also, so happy the message of the Gospel is being transmitted in so many Arab Countries in their own language. Glory be to God in the highest, and peace, goodwill to all men.
Enjoy the 100words.ca – second time around for me. I enjoy reading the designated Scripture, also, enjoying listening to it. Then reading it in another translation or paraphrase. You can listen to it from “The Message” – just another refreshing perspective. I also like to read it in the KJV or NKJV – often using these as the measurement of what the text is trying to say. The words are powerfully presented. Giving thanks to God for the proclamation of the Gospel in so many ways. Giving glory and praise to God. Thanking God for the Ministry of Crossroads and all who proclaim the blessed Name of Jesus. Samuel