RE Verse reading–Acts 13:1-52 (day three)
The song by the Clash has become an indispensible part of classic rock radio. Unfortunately, the question that the title asks has become a familiar part of our life with God. Our faith frequently presents us with mystery, with things we don’t understand, and so we ask. And that’s okay. Questions aren’t a problem. But we want to know what lies ahead. And often, that’s just not going to happen. So we become indecisive, and our minds get paralyzed by questions. But when Paul and Barnabas saw their mission to Pisidian Antioch had failed, they didn’t wring their hands. They didn’t demand to know the future before packing it in and moving on. They didn’t second-guess their entire missions initiative. They had come to know enough about what God can do to launch into the unknown. That’s faith: going where you don’t know on the basis of what you do know.
Guest Blogger: Bryan Richardson – Associate Pastor, Singles, Small Groups, & Pastoral Ministries
Isn’t it amazing that the Bible gives us a definition of faith. Although the different translations are all over the place on this one, practically for me, the KJV gives a definition that I have come to understand/live. That is….”Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb 11:1.
Interesting how there is no definition of, for example, Glory given to us. Now that is one definition I would love to know. Seems you can ask 10 different Pastors and get 10 different answers.
I am thinking that the Holy Spirit gave us a definition for a good reason and any subsequent revisions of this definition must take into consideration all the scriptures that talk about faith… For example, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5 and Eph 6…. “in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”… to name a few.
My testimony is that true faith does not come from the mind… but is spiritual…. it is much deeper…. and really, really important. In fact, we receive everything from the Lord by Faith. Now, why is another story…. I ask that question of God a lot.
Our Father, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may you give to us a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of you Father, so that we may know you better. I pray that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened, so that we will know what is the hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of Your power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of Your might which You brought about in Christ, when You raised Him from the dead and seated Him at Your right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Amen.