Hebrews 2:1 TPT This is why it is so crucial that we be all the more engaged and attentive to the truths that we have heard so that we do not drift off course.
Faith & Hope
Hebrews 11:1 AMP NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
Hope is powerful but it does have some limitations.
Faith and hope do work together and are connected.
- God always builds our hopes before we can begin to operate in faith.
Genesis 12:1-3 NKJV Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. (2) I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. (3) I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Hope (Dictionary) – to look forward to something with desire and reasonable confidence it may happen
- Hope is a positive expectation of something happening in the future.
“I see good coming to me. Something good is going to happen to me this week…”
Faith and hope can be broken down like this:
- Hope is the ability to imagine something good happening to you.
This is where you start. Hope is a blueprint or a model. It is not the building; it is the expectation of the building.
Hope always sees things in the future. You never hope for something that had already happened.
- Faith brings things that you hope for in the future to the reality of now.
Genesis 17:1-5 NKJV When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. (2) And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” (3) Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: (4) “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. (5) No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.
How does faith work?
- Hope is the blueprint. Faith is the construction crew.
Faith is like an invisible construction team; a team that works while you are at home asleep and does not want you watching them work but yet you show up each day and are amazed at how much has gotten done behind the scenes.
- Faith works in the invisible arena where God lives.
- Faith connects me to that which I hope for.
Hope says I will get it someday. Faith says that I have it now. Hope does not connect me to it, but faith is my connection.
Romans 4:18-21 NKJV who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” (19) And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. (20) He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, (21) and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
- Abraham did not consider his the negative circumstances.
Consider (DICTIONARY) – to think carefully about, to bear in mind; to make allowance for
You may pray, and things get worse instead of better. The news may not always conform to what God has said.
He does not deny it. He refuses to focus on it.
If you look at the natural negatives, you will talk yourself out of the promises that God has made to you.
- You will not be able to stay strong in faith if you continue to look at the natural negatives.
Romans 4:19 NKJV And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
- You and I have the responsibility to convince ourselves to believe what God has already said.
Romans 4:21 NKJV and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
Who was it that fully persuaded Abraham? Did God do it? If that is the case, then all God has to do is persuade everyone that they need to get saved and they would receive it.
Who then persuaded Abraham? Abraham persuaded Abraham.
How did Abraham become fully persuaded?
- Abraham grew stronger in his faith as he gave glory to God.
Romans 4:20 AMPC No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God,
Romans 4:20 TLB But Abraham never doubted. He believed God, for his faith and trust grew ever stronger, and he praised God for this blessing even before it happened.