Paul tells us in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Great we think, “Faith is confidence in something we want, but don’t see how it can happen.” That doesn’t help us if we don’t know the answer to the question, “How do we get faith?”

In Paul’s letter to the Romans 10:17, He answer’s that question, writing, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

Do you want faith? Read God’s word and hear it preached.

Dear Lord, You lead us to the answers in the Bible. Help us overcome our resistance to read and hear your word preached, so that we might have the faith in what we hope for. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

You have probably noticed how people who have succeeded in a particular activity are very popular with others who are working toward success in that field. Pro athletes put on training programs for young aspiring athletes. Successful entrepreneurs and authors have seminars explaining their techniques for others to learn.

In a similar way, Hebrews 2:18 says about Jesus, “Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.”

Wouldn’t it be amazing to have the best in your field sitting next to you every day, mentoring you, and helping you succeed?

That is essentially what we have in Jesus. He experienced the most difficult life as a human can give, and overcame. He is there by our side to help us with our challenges.

Dear Lord, You came to earth and were truly human, with the challenges that come along, so you know all that we experience. Help us overcome our temptations, challenges, and struggles, and be the best examples and messengers for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In Hebrews chapter 11, Paul lists many examples of people in Bible history, such as Noah, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Rahab, and others who acted “by faith” in God’s promises to accomplish difficult, embarrassing, frightening, life threatening, and even life ending assignments they knew God was calling them to pursue.

In Hebrews 12:1 Paul writes, “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down especially the sin that so easily trips us up, and run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

One of the great things about sports teams and clubs with common interests is that the members become examples for each other to excel and overcome obstacles. I think what Paul is telling us with the description of “a crowd of witnesses” is that we have “a team” for us to use as examples to help us excel in our faith. We should read about and meditate on the stories of these people to see how they acted in faith, and God kept his promises to support them in their callings.

Dear Lord, thank you for these examples of faithful witnesses on who’s stories we can rely for confidence in you. Help us use this confidence to faithfully pursue those things to which you are calling us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever noticed that it is necessary to have humility in order to learn something new? If we think we know already, we will not accept what someone else is trying to teach us.

We must accept that we don’t know, in order to learn.

Psalm 25 tells us the same, David says in Psalms 25:8-9 “The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.”

Dear Lord, help us have the humility to learn your way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Today is my incredible wife’s birthday. She is the grace in our home, the coach and biggest fan of our children, the mentor of her siblings, the unfailing sister of her friends, and my amazing Christian partner. Every day she brings glory to God by her life. God has blessed her, and all of us through her.

Solomon wrote about her in Proverbs 31:28-31, “Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.”

Happy Birthday Liz. I love you.

Today is also my brother Matt’s birthday. Happy Birthday Brother!

Dear Lord, thank you for the blessing we have in Liz and Matt. Give them courage and strength as they grow in your service and bring joy, hope, comfort and confidence to those around them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.