Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

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Read

Hebrews 11:1-7 (NRSV)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain’s. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and “he was not found, because God had taken him.” For it was attested before he was taken away that “he had pleased God.” And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.

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Reflect

According to dictionary.com the word faith is a noun that means confidence or trust in a person or thing, or belief that is not based on proof. Today’s scripture passage shows us that faith can also be a verb. Faith is action; by faith Abel offered a sacrifice, by faith Enoch was taken, by faith Noah built an ark. Those are just three examples of faith put into action by those who walked with God before us. The Bible is full of faith in action, and the Book of Hebrews encourages us to put our faith into action and be servants of Jesus Christ.

We may not build an ark or offer a sacrifice, but we can take other actions to express our faith. By faith we can feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the elderly, heal the sick, and so much more. When we put our faith into action, the power of God produces miraculous and wondrous results.

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Pray

O Lord, the Bible tells us that faith without works is dead. Help us to find a way to put our faith into action and be servants of your Son, Jesus Christ. May the results of our actions be multiplied by your power, and may those actions be pleasing to you. Amen.

Go with God.