It is impossible to please God without faith!

Hebrews 11 is called the hall of fame. Why? Because of the faith filled stories of well known Bible characters. Their are many, many accounts of those who trusted God and followed Him. He called them to a life of sacrifice and uncertainty and they said yes to Him. Faith is at the center of all their lives.

Not only did they know that God was real, they knew that He was good. Their faith was not a faith they recited on Sunday mornings..it was not a faith that depended on their circumstances. Their faith was founded on the character of God..on the promises of God..on the hope that God had planted in their hearts. They trusted God when they were in the middle of pain and suffering. They relied on God when the trials were impossibly difficult. They knew Him because they sought Him..

If we make it our life’s work to seek Him, He will give us everything we need to live fully in this fallen world..the same world the heroes of the faith inhabited. He rewards the faithful. He sees our hearts and He rewards us with a deep, rich relationship with Him. He rewards us with the assurance that He is with us.. that we are loved by Him. He gives us riches that the world cannot offer.

This is our God. The rescuer..the author of life..the giver of all good gifts. The same God who came for Abraham, Moses, Joseph, and many others will come for us!

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see….And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Before I studied in Seminary I never paid much attention to this day. I’m not Irish and I just assumed it was a day created to celebrate drinking and eating too much. Well.. I was wrong. St. Patrick is an amazing figure in the history of the faith. He lived in Wales and was kidnapped when he was 16 and taken to Ireland where he was sold as a slave. He learned the Celtic tongue and grew to understand the Druid culture where he was living. During his captivity he became aware of God’s presence and was able to escape and go to live in a monastery in Gaul for 12 years. He felt called back to Ireland to share His faith. The Celtic Druids imprisoned him several times..but he continued to bring the gospel to that part of the world for the next 30 years..establishing schools and churches.

This man made a difference and risked his life to do it. He was passionate for the Lord and did not let his circumstances discourage him. I fell in love with his story. The way he worked with God to bring good out of evil. I was inspired by his courage..surrounded by enemies.. he kept the faith and dedicated himself to God’s purposes.

Celtic Christianity is fascinating and the history of the faith in that part of the world is inspiring. I don’t know about you, but I need to be reminded that God is on His throne and nothing can change that. Reading stories of the heroes of our faith..who helped establish His kingdom.. gives me courage to continue. We are not alone..the heavenly chorus..made up of those who have come before us.. cheers us on!

Blessings to you this day.. May He bless and uplift you as you trust Him!!

“Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger”  ( from the breastplate prayer)