The Sphere of Faith

Good Morning!

   As I start this day with my cup of coffee and my Bible....and the still of the morning, I am in awe of God's grace and mercy.  I would like to shout that I HAVE BEEN ADOPTED into my precious Savior's family.  I don't know if any of you have ever had a praise session all by yourself, but on this 15th day of January I am praising the Lord!  God's amazing power has swept over my family this week and has convicted each of us even more to serve and honor the KING! He is worthy!
    The verse that I found myself needing this morning is from Hebrews....the faith chapter.  I am a teacher in a Christian school here in our town and have taught third grade for many years.  This year I changed positions in our school, but this chapter which is the chapter I recited with my students for years is my favorite.  I listened to these words spoken over and over through sweet little voices for many years.  This morning....these words spoke very differently to me.  Hebrews 11:1,"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  My faith has been strong many times in my life, but many times I have failed to believe or relinquish my stubborn will.  I have wanted my own way or I have just been very impatient.  My faithful and mighty God still protected me.  He still loved me and guided me and caught me when I failed.  He has loved me when I did not keep His commandments.  HE is worthy!  This morning as I read this verse God revealed to me the meaning of what faith truly is and without faith it impossible to please Him.  Through the last 6 months, my faith has been stretched, tried, and I pray strengthened.  My husband and I have walked out on faith and God has overwhelmed us with love.  I know that more will come, but through prayer God will provide.  One of my favorite verses from this chapter is verse 30, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days."  It took faith to bring down those walls.....it was belief in the things not seen that God honored his promises! 
    My prayer this morning is that my FAITH will grow and strengthen and that I will hold to these verses as we begin this new challenge.  It will take faith to raise a family of five children.  I pray that through these experiences my children will grow in their faith and will learn to rely on the Lord....to wait on His answers.  "He is the rewarder of them who diligently seek him" Hebrews 11:6.