Tag Archives: FFH

Convinced that God is Able

[Abraham] was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.
Romans 4:21, NLT*

Abraham’s faith wasn’t passive belief. It was belief with obedience. Active faith.

Secure faith, anchored in God’s character and ability.

Sometimes the tricky part is discerning what God has promised. I’ve prayed for at least one person who was sincerely positive God had promised her physical healing … yet she died. And she knew how to listen to Him.

Then there are other times when we see something we want in Scripture and interpret it to fit our desires.

But God has given plenty of legitimate promises – in writing – that we can rely on no matter what our circumstances.

He loves us. (John 3:16)

He will cleanse and forgive us when we bring our sins to Him. (1 John 1:9)

He will always be with us. (Matthew 28:20)

He will give wisdom when we ask. (James 1:5)

He’s our source of mercy and grace in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

And many more. These are things we can be fully convinced God can and will do. Remembering and relying on His promises changes how we react to our circumstances and lets us walk in victory instead of defeat.

God who is our Refuge, our Strong Tower, we would be nothing without You. You created us, You save us, and You sustain us. We believe; help our unbelief. Help us grow in faith to become fully confident like Abraham that You can – and You will – do all that You’ve promised, in Your way and in Your time.

FFH sings “God of the Promise”.

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Daily Faith

All these people [Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob] were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.
Hebrews 11:13, NIV 2010*

These and other heroes of the faith listed in Hebrews 11 were commended for being sure of what they hoped for and certain of what they did not see. Their faith was not in themselves or in their hopes and dreams. They put their faith in God, and His nature gave them the assurance to believe.

This chapter highlights some of the ways they showed their faith: understanding that God made the universe (v 3), sacrifices of praise and worship (v 4), obedience (lots of obedience… building the ark (v 7), leaving home for the promised land (v 8), Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac (v 17), believing God’s promise (v 9), blessing their descendants who were one generation closer to receiving the promise (v 20). And the list goes on.

Faith brought a lot of victories, and it strengthened people to endure a lot of pain and persecution. Because they considered the Promise Maker faithful. I love how verse 27 describes Moses: “he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.”

So what about us? Most of us are in that safe, ordinary range between the two extremes: we’re not going to be big names in the history books for either our victories or our defeats. But like I said last week, that doesn’t mean where we are is any less important to God.

We’re still called to please Him by our faith. We can believe He made the universe, we can offer the sorts of sacrifices He really wants (mercy, justice, walking humbly with Him). Instead of getting distracted by the here and now, we can live today mindful of God’s promises. He said He’d always be with us in our todays, and He also said we’d be with Him for eternity.

Creator God, You keep Your promises and nothing can change that. Forgive us for getting distracted by the present. Help us to enjoy the present and serve You well in it. But help us keep our eyes on You—and on eternity with You. That makes our time here more purposeful, because we’ll be acting in faith in Your promise.

This week’s song is FFH’s “God of the Promise.”

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Wait in Hope

“But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch; I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7 (AMP)*

Micah writes this at a time when people are so corrupt that he says you can’t even trust your own friend or lover. Yet he looks ahead to the day God will forgive his people’s sin and restore them.

Wait for God. Not impatiently, arms folded, toes tapping. Not passively, resigned or wondering if He’ll really show up.

Hope in God. Not wish-hoping, like I hope it’s warm on the weekend. Expectantly anticipating, securely confident in Him. Actively putting our trust in Him, knowing He cannot fail.

Talk to God. Not complaining or blaming, although He understands if that’s how we start. But finish with praise. He doesn’t need to hear how wonderful He is, but we need to remind ourselves. When we’re looking at how big God is, our problems come into a better perspective and we can trust Him to look after us. We can worship.

Worship.

In the waiting.

If you can, take five minutes to listen to “In the Waiting,” by the group FFH

*Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.