"believe that HE is"!!

Hebrews 11:6                 (KJV)
"1 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."


Every so often I get an email from a minister that just causes me to pause and evaluate things in my life.  Today is such a time.  Dr. Charles Stanley sends out devotionals every morning, except Sunday's.  Today is one of those days that I feel the need to CAPITALIZE all of the words to give the emphasis where I feel they are deserved!

Many sermons have been preached on the FAITH HALL OF FAME!  Hebrews 11 exhibits some of the more notable people that knew GOD and "believe that HE is"!   Hebrews 11:6 covers it all for me, "without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM"!  When a trial or difficulty comes my way and I fear, I am displaying a lack of "believing that HE is"!  As you read Dr. Stanley's devotional, remember that we must "believe that HE is"!!


PROVEN FAITH

1 Peter 1:3-9

Faith is perhaps the MOST CENTRAL ELEMENT in the Christian life because it is the means by which we enter into salvation. But that’s only the beginning. From then onward, our faith—or lack of it—shapes our lives and determines what happens to us when the winds of adversity blow. Some Christians never lose their footing even in hurricane-force winds, but others are toppled by the slightest gust. To understand why this is true, we need to examine the source of our faith.

Inherited faith: If you grew up in a Christian home, you probably adopted some of the beliefs of your parents. This kind of godly foundation is a wonderful gift from the Lord, but eventually, EACH PERSON MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS OWN BELIEFS.

Textbook faith: The BIBLE is the ultimate guide for establishing our beliefs. But that’s not the only source of influence. Books, preachers, teachers, and friends all impact our convictions. Our theology MAY in fact be sound, but faith is merely mental acceptance UNTIL IT'S PUT TO THE TEST.

Proven Faith: Only when we trust the LORD through the FIRES OF ADVERSITY will we have faith that can stand. It is no longer based on what others have told us or what we’ve accepted as true but on our firsthand experience of His faithfulness.

To evaluate your faith, consider how you react to adversity. Do you CLING to the LORD or get angry at Him? Is your attitude one of REJOICING because HE’s MAKING YOU MORE LIKE HIS SON, or are you bitter? NO ONE can escape adversity, but those with PROVEN FAITH will benefit from it.