Living By 'The Faith Rule'

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'These all died in faith...'
Hebrews 11:13

The Bible says, 'These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them...' (Hebrews 11:13 NKJV) People of faith anticipate what God promised, whether they ever experience its fulfilment or not. 'How can I believe in a promise I don't see fulfilled?' you ask. People like Abraham didn't live to see the ultimate fulfilment of God's promise in their lives, yet they died believing it. Trusting God means banking on His Word, even when there's nothing visible to demonstrate that what He says is going to come true. Even when you're on your deathbed and it still hasn't happened, you still trust Him. That's living by faith.

The words 'in faith' in this Scripture are different from the words used in all the verses that read 'by faith.' The words 'in faith' actually mean 'according to faith.' These people lived by 'the faith rule.' Faith was the ruling principle in their lives! So even if they went to their graves without seeing God's promises fulfilled, they exited saying, 'God still told the truth.' They knew that the fulfilment was coming, and they lived in anticipation of it. That's what God is asking of you today. He wants you to live before Him in such a way that you anticipate His promises, even when every circumstance seems opposite to what those promises say. It also means you don't manipulate the circumstances to 'help God out' as Sarah did when she produced Ishmael. It means trusting God to do it His way, in His time, and for His glory.

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

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More Than Rescued

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To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests
to serve his God and Father
Revelation 1:5-6

The gospel is so utterly amazing! I have been reflecting recently on the truth that our inheritance in Christ is so much more than escaping hell and death through the cross. We were enemies of God (Romans 5:10), and it is completely breathtaking that He would sacrifice His own Son to set us free. But how much more does He lavish on us! If forgiveness weren't enough, He goes on to shower us with love and gifts. Only the best is good enough for God's children. Isaiah 54 talks about bringing Israel back to their homeland and building them with precious stones;

I will build you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires. I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.
Isaiah 54:11-12

When the prodigal son returns home in fear and trepidation the Father doesn't only forgive him, but calls for the best robe, and he gets the royal treatment (Luke 15:22). Simple forgiveness would have been enough for the son, but he got far more than he expected. So much so that the elder son felt completely put out.

God not only lifts us out of the mud and mire, giving us a firm place to stand (Psalm 40:2), but He goes on to lift us up and seats us with Christ in heavenly places;

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus
Ephesians 2

Sometimes it's a struggle to even get to that place of feeling forgiven, I know that in my own life. But God is wanting us to know that we ARE forgiven. Any thoughts that we have to beg for forgiveness or wait for it are not from Him. We can receive it in a second. And moving on from forgiveness to future, He wants us to live as children of the King, experiencing His love, favour and Presence.

Skywatch #76

Leaf on a String, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Isaiah 64:6

Turn Aside & Listen To God

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'...I must turn aside and look...'
Exodus 3:3

Moses was working his regular job as a shepherd when he saw a burning bush, just like the ones he'd seen a hundred times before. Only this time the bush was on fire with God's presence. Moses said, 'I must turn aside and look.' In that moment everything depended on his willingness to interrupt his daily routine and make time for God. He could have said, 'I'm busy,' and kept on going. But he'd have missed his calling and the reason for his existence. He'd have missed knowing God and doing great things. But he didn't, he 'turned aside.'

God wanted to begin a new nation, with Moses leading it. The timing seemed strange. With God, it often does. Forty years ago Moses was young, the product of the finest education system in the world. He had powerful connections and high hopes. But now he was a nobody, a lowly shepherd in a forgotten desert, rejected by his people and a fugitive on the run. '..."Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?"...' (Exodus 3:11 NRS) Moses asked God. '"Nobody knows me. I don't speak too well. And my track record isn't too good."' God said, 'I know about your past, and it doesn't matter. Your failure and inadequacies are no longer the ultimate truth about you. You are what you are, but you're not yet what you will be; because I will be with you.' Do you need direction for your life? Slow down, turn aside, and listen to God. What He has to say is more important than anything else you'll hear.

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.