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 link 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. 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 in 2013 (click here).
Indeed, without faith it is impossible to please God; anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Faith precedes all great things. Yours for the “substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” For it is by our faith, that we are healed. Looking forward to watching the Christmas specials. Blessings fellow saints in the Lord.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30 NIV
Carol of the Bells–Libera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6x-pjVL67A
I also find that listening as well as reading is helpful and it is so easy to do through the audio link provided.
Dearest saints– please pray for me. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks and for some reason both are getting stronger and more frequent. I have been praying, reading the Word, listening to Christian music but nothing is bringing me peace. My doctor wants me to go on medication, but I have resisted it because of the side effects–so is there a chance God is allowing this to let me know I cannot deal with it on my own that I need the help of medication?. Right now I am exhausted from fear and my world is getting smaller and smaller because fear is making my choices instead of me– so I ask for prayer to endure or to overcome whatever is happening to me — thank you in advance for your prayers
Donna,
The Lord bless you, and keep you. I pray His peace on you, and wisdom as you seek a solution. In Jesus Name, the Name above all Names!
Amen! A big hug to you!
Agreeing in prayer with Karin for Donna! Amen !
Donna, dear sister-in-Christ. I reflect on the comments of other saints. As Wanita suggested, environment may play a big part. Do you have a floor mister or humidifier? Since moving October 1st, I have been sneezing excessively, daily, and not sleeping well. As soon as I started running my floor size mister with moisture going into the air, my breathing improved, sneezing stopped, and sleep was better. These are not the same symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks but improving such aspects of your environment has a positive cause and effect reaction. We have hope in our God that this slight improvement will alleviate the need for you to take the unwanted medication. It is really worth a try and I believe you will have immediate positive results.
Lord God, our Jehovah Rapha, God of healing, we call on You to administer Your Holy Presence and Power upon our sister, Donna, who is anxious with panic attacks. Lord God, you know what she needs. We call on You to deliver her with a peace beyond all understanding that comforts and upholds her with integrity and dignity. We call on You, Jehovah Jireh, our God who provides, to make the way clear for her and guide her as a strong and mighty tower that she might lean on You and be assured that all will be well. Rest in knowing your prayers are being answered, Donna, and be at peace. All will be well. In Jesus’ mighty Name, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen.
dear sweet Donna
praying for you…….I posted some similar prayers over the last few weeks and days…….
I live in British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, it is very socked in, no sun and when the sun shines it is cold…….I need a bit of heat…
have you been on meds before……..ask the doctor exactly what the side effects will be…….also, do you exercise of any sort, I swim and that was a gift from God, it works very well for me…
also, I do not smoke or drink alcohol…..
is your doctor from Mental Health! keep asking questions,
have you had a complete assessment done by Mental Health….that may be an area you may wish to explore…..
I am Bi Polar, it is a chemical imbalance…….have you ever been told what your symptons are…..
Keep praying, listening to Christian music, go for walks, keep us posted, remember God knows what is going on……by posting your blog you are giving others the courage to maybe do the same…….we are Christian brothers and sisters and we value each other and we pray for each other and care about each other…..
Donna, God bless you for posting this blog….as I said keep us posted every day please…….Blessings to you…….
God bless you Donna, yes, get tested for allergies also……God is wanting your attention about something and He has it, now we pray that He will guide you to some treatment of some sort, again, I am SO THANKFUL THAT YOU HAVE SHARED YOUR BLOG!
You have given many, many the courage to speak out and reach out! Thank you again……
SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT, ALL IS CALM! ALL IS BRIGHT!
Hi Donna
Exchanging peace scriptures for the word of anxiety and fear, is very helpful. (example) “for the Lord has not given you a spirit of fear, but of peace and a sound mind to guard your heart and mind.”
(an illustration) If you have two dogs and you feed the one and not the other …which one will grow, and which one will die?
So as we pray or speak with negative words and dwell on them that is what becomes stronger within our thinking..
succh as “fear and and anxiety” that is what grows….if it is reading God’s promises of peace and joy, that is what will grow and become part of us.
Hope this is helpful.
John 14:27 Jesus said “Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give to you; not as the wold gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Ph[lippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
Donna, I pray your mind will be set on things of God!
Wonderful chapter on faith. We believe that the Lord has been with us in the past and He will be with us in the future. One thing that Pastor David taught us is to have nothing between us and God and he taught by example as he was always repenting. Then we can have confidence that the Lord will hear and answer our prayers Donna M. May God give you that confidence and take away your fears. When we do all we can do, we can trust God to do the rest. May you know God’s peace in your life. Beverlee, I have been thinking about us getting together for some time and before David passed but I know he was not well. Let us pray about it. Amen?
Ger, I think we had better start talking about a gathering, this summer. We have to determine where everyone can meet, and when; maybe get an email chain going or something.
God bless you Ger! Praying the Lord will continue to give you guidance and strength. Blessings…..
Donna M. you are not alone as I have some fears as well as recent as last night. God help us all. Amen!
same here but I so appreciate people praying for each other! THERE IS POWER IN THE WORD OF GOD!
I have found that by reading scripture aloud to myself helps me slow down my mind and ‘savor’ what I am reading. To just read silently it is too easy to sort of scan the scripture and miss so much. I also like to jot down what ‘leaps’ out.
To Donna M regarding the anxiety and panic attacks. Have you considered, or has anyone suggested the possibility of this being allergy caused?
Before I was diagnosed with environmental and chemical allergies I would get anxiety and panic attacks. From exposure to things I had become allergic and sensitive to. It might be worth looking into this possibility before going on the anti anxiety medications.
We are all exposed to so many chemicals every day from what we ingest, breathe and are in contact with. After a while the body hits ‘overload’ and we can get many symptoms.
May the Lord grant you and your Doctor wisdom and discernment as to cause and how best to treat.
Thank you Lord for giving us a measure of faith; it is”the things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”
to all, have a blessed day!