February 22 FAITH!!! 1 Peter 1:8-9
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “… whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)
As Born-Again Believers, we are called to “walk by Faith, not by Sight!” The Scriptures clearly defines Faith, in Hebrews 11:1, as the “Substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen!” Think about it… The First Century Christians followed Jesus Christ, even though the reality of their decisions brought rapid and violent torture and persecution, and even death, yet they continued! Throughout the centuries’, committed Believers have faced horrible persecutions and violent deaths, yet remained faithful to their beliefs! What has driven believers to stand strong, in the face of evil and violent persecutions? The secret that the world does not recognize is their FAITH!! PRAISE GOD, Faith has the power to allow true believers to press on through the darkest and terrible days, that one could only imagine! Think about the Faithful examples of the past! Abraham was faithful, and his faith empowered him to go through the years, anticipating the fulfillment of God’s promise for him and his heirs! Faith propelled Noah to remain faithful, and to complete his mission, toiling without anyone around him that believed, and with no reason to continue, except his faith in the promise of God! Faith empowered a simple country preacher to pray for the salvation of his brother, for 40 years, and, by faith, his brother did receive Jesus Christ as Savior, and it was by faith that caused his son to believe and to receive Jesus! (I asked my daddy how he was so confident about my uncle’s salvation, and he told me that he could see it…Wow!) Friends, FAITH is the Fuel that empowers Believers to claim Jesus and to be fortified to face the circumstances of this life! Just as Peter told his fellow believers, that, someday, they would see Jesus, and that fact enables us to push through the challenges of life and overcome situations and to navigate through the persecutions, with an unwavering hope that this world cannot see! (GOD IS always faithful TO us!) Through our God-Given FAITH, we persevere, through the challenges, and continue to proclaim Jesus and to express our genuine FAITH! True and committed FAITH, will always bring PRAISE, HONOR, and GLORY to Our GOD and to HIS SON, JESUS! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!