Hebrews 11:1-3; Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see.  God accepted our ancestors because of their faith. Faith convinces us that God created the world through his word. This means what can be seen was made by something that could not be seen.

Verse 5 & 6; Faith enabled Enoch to be taken instead of dying. No one could find him, because God had taken him. Scripture states that before Enoch was taken, God was pleased with him.  No one can please God without faith. Whoever goes to God must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Look around you. Everything you see was made by something unseen; words. God spoke and created, he didn’t wave a wand or do magic trick, it was his words that brought things into existence. Enoch walked with God daily and talked with God just as Adam did in the garden. He didn’t ‘see’ God, but he believed that God existed and communed with him. He trusted God to speak to his spirit and he understood the voice of the Spirit of God. It clearly states in verse 6 that Gods rewards are reserved for those who believe he exists and seek him.

What does it look like to seek the Lord? I can only speak from my own experience and you’re welcome to share your own, but I look for God to show up, I expect him and I’m never disappointed. I begin by reading the Word and I ask him about what I just read. “Can you explain this to me, Lord. Please give me your wisdom on this deep and rich truth you’re trying to show me.” Then I wait. I read it again with fresh eyes and I hear him begin to unfold truth. You can’t be in a hurry when you come to God. He know’s how much time you have and he will come.  Sometimes it’s on my way to work or even sitting at my desk, I’ll think again of that verse I read and it’s like he shines his light on it and opens truth to me. All I can do is say, “Thank you!”

Lets go back to verse 3; “Faith convinces us that God created the world through his word. This means what can be seen was made by something that could not be seen.” We must believe that our words hold that same power as Gods. You cannot speak one thing and expect something else, it doesn’t work that way. Why did David pray, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” Because he understood that words are a key to every victory and what you think on is what will come out of your mouth.

We must believe Gods word first and foremost. If we can’t believe HIS words, we will never believe in the plans he has for us. If we don’t believe we can commune with God and hear his voice, then something is wrong with our guidance system. I don’t care how many times you’ve hoped for something and it hasn’t happened, hope again, but this time put your words in agreement with His words and KEEP them there. Stop going back and forth between two opinions and for goodness sake, STOP SHARING WHAT YOU’RE BELIEVING FOR WITH PEOPLE WHO DON’T GET IT!!!!! In fact, the fewer people who know what you’re believing for, the better. You don’t know what they’re saying out of your presence and you don’t need their doubt and unbelief working AGAINST you.

Father, teach us your ways of speaking that we may duplicate you on the earth. Make us like you, not like the world. Keep us from the ways of this world! We don’t need more worldly Christians, we need followers of Christ, disciples who will go make more disciples. We ask that your Kingdom, your way of being and doing will be in us as it is in heaven. Trusting, faithful, Word wielding sons and daughters who trust in every word you’ve ever spoken. It’s in your name we pray, Amen.