‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. ‘ 1 Peter 1:3-9
Faith is not the belief in an “alternate reality”. It is not the refusal to believe or accept the “truth” of any given situation or circumstance. It is not denial. It is not misconception or misperception. It is the knowledge, through the gift of the Spirit, without visual confirmation, of the existence of God the Father and the grace provided by the sacrifice of God the Son on our behalf. Faith is the absolute assurance of the power, control, sovereignty and promise of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Faith is not the absence of pain and hardship, but rather the promise of Jesus’ deliverance in and through it. Faith is not the lack of intellect, but rather the vehicle that elevates us, beyond the heights intellect can, to the knowledge only He can provide. Have a blessed weekend.
“Faith doesn’t always take you out of the problem. Faith often takes you through the problem. Faith doesn’t always take away the pain. Faith gives you the ability to handle the pain. Faith doesn’t take you out of the storm. Faith calms you in the midst of the storm.” ~Pastor Rick Warren
‘For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” ‘ Romans 1:17
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy
