By Karen Moore
karenmooreauthor.com
Hebrews 11:1 may be one of the verses we know best but still struggle to understand.
The New International Version says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for, and assurance about what we do not see.”
The Message Bible says, “By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s Word, what we see created by what we don’t see.”
Pastor and author Tony Evans says, “Faith is acting like God is telling the truth!”
Most believers want to live by faith. We want to act like God is telling the truth. We want to have confidence that what we hope for can happen. We want what we can’t see, can’t understand or can’t fully contemplate to be in the hands of the One who actually can see, understand and contemplate for us.
We want faith to be our lifestyle and not simply an idea we visit now and then.
So, to quote Evans again, he says “faith is acting like it is so, even when it’s not so, in order that it might be so, simply because God said so!”
Perhaps those of you with a mama that told you what she wanted in no uncertain terms, “because I said so” can grasp this saying easily.
So, let’s go back and consider that faith is acting like God is telling the truth. We believe God exists. We believe God loves us. We believe God created the universe we live in, so why do we struggle with whether God is telling the truth?
The fact is, God can only tell the truth, so we don’t really have to figure out that part.
Giving faith back to God
Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, reminds us that faith is not a matter of cherry picking. Faith is something we live in every hour of our lives.
Faith is the thing we give back to God so He can act on our behalf. It’s our faith that tells God, “I believe in the prayer I’m saying right now.”
It’s our faith that says, “I’ll do this thing God wants me to do, even though I don’t fully understand the direction.” It’s faith that says, “I’m here, God. Send me.”
You may face an issue, an idea or a challenge you don’t understand, but when you believe God is with you, you can go on faith and act like it is so, so that it might be so because God said so.
Faith requires you to act and let God know you are willing to trust Him for those things you do not yet see. Faith is saying to God, “I believe you all the time. I believe you are always telling me the truth. I believe in you.”
Since God created the entire world out of nothing, don’t you think He can take those things you do not yet see and create the best option just for you? God gave you the gift of faith so you could use it, live in it, enjoy it and return the gift to Him every day.
Faith is your calling card to God.
Letters to the Editor
On behalf of our entire volunteer group, I want to express our deepest gratitude for featuring our Homeless Sleeping Mat Ministry in May 2 edition of The Alabama Baptist.
Your support means the world to us and has made an immense difference in our mission to aid the homeless in Montgomery.
The impact of the article has been truly remarkable. Since its publication, we’ve welcomed several news volunteers eager to join our cause.
We have received donations which have enabled us to provide not only sleeping mats made from recycled plastic bags but also additional essential items such as blankets, socks, toiletries and books about Jesus.
Your coverage has amplified our efforts and allowed us to extend our reach and allowed others (even beyond Alabama) to get to know us.
We firmly believe that every small act of kindness has the power to transform lives, and your decision to feature our work in your publication has magnified that belief.
Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of those less fortunate, offering them a small degree of physical comfort with a sense of dignity and hope.
We invite everyone who can to join us (find out details at ehbconline.com or email karlasmilie626@gmail.com). We need many hands to prep the plastic grocery bags before they can be woven into mats.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for spotlighting our cause and inspiring others to join us.
Karla Smilie Groves
Montgomery
I love TAB Media Group and everyone that has anything to do with your company.
Martha Alldredge
Cullman
While I no longer live in Alabama, I still love to keep up with all that’s happening there, and I enjoy the paper.
I usually read it front to back the day I get it.
Bessie Hawley
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Gary Fisher wrote an article titled “Which version of the Bible do you prefer?” in the May 16 edition.
My Bible is the New American Standard Open Bible by Thomas Nelson Publishers and all Deity pronouns are capitalized.
For instance, Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image … .’”
I’m concerned about the versions that do not capitalize the Deity pronouns.
These next generations will not comprehend the meaning of Scripture as they read the Bible.
Russell Lackey
Montgomery
In case you missed these nuggets
Excerpts from the June 6 edition of The Baptist Paper:
As the war in Ukraine rages on, Yaroslav Pyzh of the Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary reported recently his seminary is holding up well — in fact, it is a beacon of light in dark times for many.
They are working tirelessly to plant new churches to inspire hope and community among Ukrainian believers, he said.
Pyzh believes it is crucial for the Church to hold fast to Christ in these times, advising all to offer themselves to Jesus so they may be transformed and made more like Him so God may be glorified, and others might turn to Him as well.
While he expressed desire that the war would end, Pyzh said he prayed — and encouraged others to pray — for the salvation of the people of Ukraine because all other pursuits were in vain without Christ at the center.
_________________________
Christi Gibson, former minister of discipleship and missions at FBC New Orleans, is sharing her story of healing following the Ashley Madison scandal in 2015. Ashley Madison is a website dedicated to providing a space for spouses to commit adultery.
When names were leaked, Gibson’s husband, John, was on the list, and he took his life.
Gibson testifies to God’s goodness and grace in what once seemed to be the end of life as she knew it.
“In the midst of deep sorrow and pain, God’s love goes to the very depths,” she said.
To read these articles and find out more about The Baptist Paper, visit tbponline.org. Call 800-803-5201 to add the paper to your TAB subscription.
If we are going to be disciples and keep this as the core reason for our existence, we have got to first and foremost have a loyal love. …
Second, you’ve got to have a selfless sacrifice. … Every day we need to die to self … it’s not about me, it’s about King Jesus. …
Third, you’ve got to have complete surrender. … You’ve got to count the cost. …
Luke 14:33 (quotes Jesus as saying), “Anyone who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”
Discipleship is complete surrender, giving up everything to follow Him. … We need to be committed to Christ, but the problem is that with commitment, then I’m the one in charge. … But the word surrender means I relinquish my rights. I’m no longer in charge.
We don’t need more commitment; we need more surrender. … We exist to be disciples. We exist to make disciples in the hopes that more disciples make more disciples who make more disciples. … A disciple is someone who looks just like Jesus. … May we never forget the core reason we exist is to make disciples for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Daven Watkins
FBC Pelham
No true follower of Jesus should ever have a life that is boring or drab. If you choose to accept it, God has a mission for your life that is both meaningful and adventurous.
Our mission is challenging, but not impossible. It is made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit that God has given us. After giving us our Great Commission, Jesus reminded us that He would “be with us even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19–20).
Bill Wilks
NorthPark Baptist Church
Trussville
Have a great morning and remember, whatever is over your head is under God’s feet! Trust Him, He’s got you!
O’Shea Lowery
@EntrustedHope on X
Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people and nation. You have made them into a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.
—Rev. 5:9
Todd Lafferty
@JToddL on X
Morgan Bailey (pastor emeritus of Macedona Baptist Church in Ranburne, see page 9) is available to share at your church or with a specific group any of these five training sessions:
- Grace Talks — evangelism training.
- God Talks — outline of sermons, devotionals, etc.
- Group Talks — Sunday School and small group organization.
- Gift Talks — spiritual gifts of individual believers.
- Member Talks — new member orientation and assimiliation.
Email pastor@macedoniasbc.net or call 205-369-8112.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Your Voice is the opinion section of The Alabama Baptist print newspaper. To submit a letter to the editor, click here.
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