Hebrews 11:1 says “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” Vs 2-5 of Hebrews 11 go on to tell of those commended for having faith.

Luke 17:6 says “If you have faith as little as a mustard seed you can speak to the mountain and tell it to be moved into the sea and it will obey you.”

But what is faith? Simply put, Faith is belief in God and His ability. We see this in Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith (or belief in God) it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.” If you read the rest of the chapter you see more commendation for those who lived back in the Bible days that believed in God. As you read the rest of the chapter, replace “By faith” with “Believed or by believing in God and His ability” for example vs 5 says By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death. now replace “By faith” with “believed in God and His ability” and read it again. It reads “Enoch was taken from this life because he believed in God and his ability so that he didn’t experience death.”  Powerful, isn’t it?

Let’s take a look at another life of faith or one who believed in God and His ability. David in his fight against Goliath in 1 Samuel chapter 17. David was actually sent by his father to his brothers on the front line. When he got there, he heard Goliath taunting and making threats and he asked, Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” In other words, Who is this ignorant that doesn’t know who God is that he’s making such threats against those that belong to Him. Somebody needs to get this in their spirit. All David used to destroy Goliath was a stone and a word. what was that word? “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” It was the power of God and His ability that carried David’s stone and hit Goliath where it needed to in order to take him down.

Sometimes, we want to tuck tail and hide when the devil comes after us with his threats but if you believe in God like David and like the Bible says in Daniel 11:32b says “They that know their God shall be strong and do great exploits” you can  tell the devil like David told Goliath. “You must be ignorant to think you can come against me and win when I belong to the living God.”  so rise up today if you believe in God and his ability and you really know him. The atmosphere around you should change in your favor when you, as one who knows God and believes in Him and His ability, walk into a place. Real Christians shouldn’t be the ones running , the devil should be the one running! Amen!

If you don’t know God today, you can. The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart  that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart, one believes and is justified ( think about the justice system for a minute, when the judge (In this case God is the judge) acquits you then you’re free to go.) and with the mouth one confesses and is saved because you will have what yo say.

So get to know God and the importance of believing in Him and his ability today.  Hebrews 3:15 says “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”   Simply put, Be open to God and don’t allow rebellion against Him to harden your heart to where you can’t believe in Him and His ability.

Powerful word today.  Amen. Have a soul searching Sunday y’all and receive the en-grafted word of God (Jesus) who is able to save your soul.