Faith.

It’s a complicated word.

For some…it has great spiritual meaning.

For others…it’s a bit nebulous.

 

A long time ago, when one of the girls from my youth group got married, I created some counted cross stitch art for her as a wedding gift.  I stitched these words from Hebrews 11:1….Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 

Why in the world was I so enamored with this verse that I created cross stitch art?  And for a wedding gift, no less.

I can’t answer that.

One thing I do know….

In order to navigate through life, faith is a necessity.

 

Faith is... ::  Hebrews 1:11  Faith is the assurance :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

As I was thinking about this verse today, I went over to Bible Gateway to see how it read in other Bible translations.  Lately, you might have noticed that I’m struck by the way the Bible is translated in the version called, The Voice.  I grew up using the New American Standard and the New International Version translations.  They are my go-to Bibles translations.  But, The Message and The Voice translations can really make God’s word come to life for me.  And The Voice did just that with Hebrews 11:1 today.

Faith is the assurance of things you have hoped for, the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen.  Hebrews 11:1 The Voice

“Faith is the assurance…”

I went to Merriam Webster, the online dictionary, to look up assurance.

Here’s what I found:

as·sur·ance

 noun \ə-ˈshu̇r-ən(t)s\

: the state of being sure or certain about something

: a strong feeling of confidence about yourself or about being right

: a strong and definite statement that something will happen or that something is true

Okay….the first verse I shared, from the New International Version, begins, “Faith is being sure…”

Hmmmm.

I don’t know about you, but there isn’t much of which I am really sure.

Everyone lets us down, sometime.  Even those we love and trust the most.

The bureaucracies….local, state, national…there’s nothing sure about them.

 

Faith is...  :: Winter Frost Photo :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Here I am today.

Reading this verse….

Faith is the assurance of things you have hoped for, the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen.  Hebrews 11:1 The Voice

knowing that the only way I’m going to be successful in this life is to have faith…

and yet…..

 

I hope for a lot of things.  I bet you do too.

I hope for a fabulous ministry position for my husband.

I hope to live in my own home soon.

I hope for my struggling friends to have their wrongs righted.

I hope to be healthy and vibrant and to make a difference in the world.

I hope for enslaved people to be free and the hungry to be fed and the thirsty to be satisfied….

both physically and spiritually.

 

Hope is a good thing.

Faith to see those things happen is better.

But to have “the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen.”

That trumps all.

 

Here’s how I put it together.

In the Book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul tells us that we need to put on the armor of God.  One part of that armor is the shield of faith.

I’ve read the verses a hundred times, I probably have even heard someone teach about it.

One day I read it with new eyes.

Also, pick up the shield of faith.  Ephesians 6:16 (bold emphasis, mine)

 

Did you see it?

Pick up the shield of faith.

If the armor we are to wear is something God has provided…belt, breastplate, shoes, helmet, sword…then this shield…which is faith…has also been provided by him.

 

Are you in a rough spot right now?

Are you trying to conjure up enough faith to jump your current hurdle?

 

Once again, aside from being available and obedient to do the will of the Father, there isn’t anything we can do. 

Faith isn’t something from within….it’s something from God.

It’s….the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen. 

 

What realities are you aware of that you cannot see?

Gravity…

the molecules that form together to make the air we breathe…

wind….

energy…

just for starters.

 

What about God?

He definitely is a reality which we cannot see….

as is heaven.  And hell.

 

The Kingdom of Heaven is here on earth.

It too is a reality we cannot see.

 

So where are we in all of this faith stuff?

 

Personally, I struggle with my current situation.

I wonder what God is doing…or not doing.

I question his moves.

If he wants me to stand and see what he will do….it must be really big.

In my mind that makes sense.

But, I can’t see everything.

I don’t see the wars in the heavenlies.

I only see this small picture in this moment in time.

God sees the big picture…the endless picture.

I’m bound by the limitations of this life and world.

HE has no bounds.

 

Faith :: What is Faith? ::  AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

So what am I to do?

I am to rest in this faith that God has provided for me.

Faith is the assurance of things you have hoped for, the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen.  Hebrews 11:1 The Voice

And, ultimately, there is no one whom I can trust more than this Faith Giver…

No one’s ears have ever heard of a God like you.
No one’s eyes have ever seen a God who is greater than you.
No God but you acts for the good
of those who trust in him.  Isaiah 64:4 NIrV

 

Faith…

Is the assurance…

that, HE is…

Faithful and True.

 

Joy Day!  ::  Join in an Count Blessings :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

It’s Joy Day!

 

The day when we look back over our past week and count.

Count the good and the not so good.   Just seven.

And we give thanks for it.  All of it.

I’ll start…

I’m grateful God for…

  • the cough…and for it mostly being over.
  • sleep.   Sweet sleep now that I’m not coughing.
  • good roads and a good interview.
  • creativity and the simple things that can be created from paper.
  • a sweet, dear friend who encourages me.
  • cocoa. 
  • a wonderful servant husband whom I celebrate today…on his birthday.

Now it’s your turn!

Scroll down to the “Share your Extraordinary Thoughts” box below and tap in your ‘seven.’

When you do, you’ll find the corners of your mouth turn up and the joy meter in your spirit rise.

It’s a good thing.

If you want even more joy….you’ll want to take the Joy Dare here.

Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

Joyfully,

Diane

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Comments

  1. Refreshing. That’s the word that came to my mind after reading your blog. Thank you, I enjoyed it and I am encouraged by your words. (And I also love cocoa)

    • Diane says

      Thank you Jedidja! Praise God that he used the words on the blog to encourage your heart.

      You might be surprised…my favorite cocoa is Droste’s. In fact…I’ve been collecting old tin Droste cocoa boxes for years. 🙂

  2. (feel free to sing along!)

    Happy Birthday to the hubby!
    Happy Birthday to the hubby!
    Happy Birthday to Diane’s hub-by!
    Happy Birthday to the hubby!

    Joy Day:
    1. capacity to learn.
    2. ability to return to college.
    3. the staff at SCC, who went above and beyond the call in getting my paperwork pushed through so I could register on time.
    4. the pristine, sparkly blanket of snow in our yard.
    5. the wood stove in the kitchen area to keep things toasty in the house
    6. the Bible (I’m a KJV kinda gal)
    7. the yummy, creamy cocoa I had to drink last night.

  3. Ann Miller says

    For the people who unsubscribed because of your expression of faith, it means that they must have read all or part of it. The seeds of faith HAVE been planted. You have done a great thing and God is taking over from here. <3

  4. Susan Roquet says

    Love your devotion on Faith today. I need to strengthen my faith. Faith casts out fear. I’ve struggled with that all my life.

  5. Norma Hollands says

    Very timely for me today. Thank you for sharing!

  6. Debbi Saunders says

    I am grateful for:
    1. Your post today about ” Faith”!
    2.The guidebook of Life, “The Bible”
    3. For being left 4 abandoned tiny kittens to care for and try to find homes for!!!!
    4. For being able to put aside my own trials and be of Hope and Encouragement to others.
    5. For this computer that has opened a whole other world for me.
    6. For my son and brother and my nephew.
    7.This large pot of delicious homemade Vegetable Soup.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!!!!!

  7. Mel says

    Happy birthday to you
    Happy birthday to you
    Happy bithday to he-who-married-Diane
    Happy birthday to youuuuu!! 🙂
    (Whadda lucky fella!)

    I love the photos and I need to have FAITH tattooed on my forehead! LOL
    “The absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen “…ABSOLUTE conviction. I get it…and I want to rest in that absolute conviction. What a lovely post to read today. Thank you.
    * the 100+ year old mason jar I stumbled upon
    * reaching a 95° bend on the left leg…woohoo!!
    * watching a young lady get her first job in the social work field…G-d is good!
    * finding myself at odds with two people I respect, and loving them
    * being able to nurse the sickly spouse
    * watching the Broncos beat the Patriots…LOL. True! 😉
    * waiting to transform my coffee nook…pretty sure G-d has other plans for me right now. LOL. I’ll wait!!

  8. Renee says

    Thanks for your post, I needed to be reminded of this. I go back to the Doc. on Tuesday and hope I am healing and get released to go back to work.
    I am grateful for the following:
    1. My daughters houseloan went through and she closed yesterday!
    2. The Broncos won!!!
    3. Feeling better and stronger each day.
    4. Great day spent with my daughter in love yesterday.
    5. The companionship of Dora, Oggie, and Obbie the dog and cats!!!!
    6. Beautiful sunset tonight.
    7. My wonderful hubby-Timm.

  9. A beautiful post on faith. I like how it reads in the Voice as well!
    I am grateful for:
    1. The laughter of children.
    2. Warm chocolate chip cookies.
    3. A husband who likes to cook.
    4. Thrift store clothing finds for my son.
    5. The gentle ways God reminds me of His love.
    6. A smooth transition into our new church home.
    7. A beautiful pink sky.

  10. Gwen says

    I liked as I glanced back over this again after reading it earlier that you don’t know what is happening in heavens armies. I’m reminded of Daniel praying And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling. Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. (Daniel 10:11-13 NLT)
    There was spiritual warfare going on that required Michael, one of the archangels, to help. We do not really know what is going on that we do not see. That God protects us from seeing…and thus we live by faith not by sight. I feel I’m living that way. So much about me is not at all the same. Stripped of the me I was yet left to live and search the Bible, listen to godly messages, and grow in faith for the me that loves Jesus and wants to serve Him is still here on earth. My joy day count down is more difficult tonight for my heart just feels heavy… It is not an easy path to have the part of my front lobe missing that helps with emotions. So with a heavy heart, can a Christian still seek and see joy? Yes. It’s a mind set. I can choose.
    1. Communion. For as often as I eat this bread, drink this cup I proclaim the Lords death until He comes again
    Jesus died for my sins. All things were made through Him. Nothing made without His approval. Like Mt Everest. Yet that same Jesus stands at the door of my heart and knocks and I invited Him in so He lives in me too. Mind boggling
    2. Safe travels and a good time for her and her spouse yet they felt the empty spot of the Sept sudden death of her brother in law…but it was good to all be together for a week…
    3. We will all get together, traveling far and wide to celebrate my Moms birthday on Saturday
    4. Hearing my grandson chatter away to me on the phone
    5. The sound of the train whistle= signal to pray for a friend
    6. Camellias blooming. My pale pink ones are so pretty in little dishes, floating
    7. The day of a dear friend’s funeral I was unable to attend, from morning and at about one and a half to two hour intervals, The Lord sent calls, packages, letter from my childhood neighbor, emails, it was so amazing only God could have sent such a steady stream of comfort all day, spread out just right
    8. I got to go to Growth Group and it was good. I miss getting out of my home
    9. Kind people to help me
    10. An email small Bible study group went as planned this first week. It was back and forth comments at the end of the week over the weekend. Now we read the next two chapters in John.
    Pray my heavy heart lifts.

  11. laura says

    Thank you for this encouragement, Diane. I always feels o uplifted when I leave this space. And I will be thinking about this for a long time: the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen. That is so good.

    • Diane says

      Thanks Laura…it’s something I think HE wants us to grasp. It certainly isn’t easy to do, is it?
      I appreciate your encouraging comment too. Thanks, friend!

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