Day 348 - FAITH

Reading:  Hebrews 11-13

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1

Footnote:  Do you remember how you felt when you were very young and your birthday approached?  You were excited and anxious.  You knew you would certainly receive gifts and other special treats.  But some things would be a surprise.  Birthdays combine assurance and anticipation, and so does faith!  Faith is the conviction based on past experience that God's new and fresh surprises will surely be ours.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:1-3

Footnote:  The Christian life involves hard work.  It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with God, to run patiently, and to struggle against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit.  To live effectively, we must keep our eyes on Jesus.  We will stumble if we look away from him to stare at ourselves or at the circumstances surrounding us.  We should be running for Christ, not ourselves, and we must always keep him in sight.  

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.  Hebrews 13:2

Footnote:  Three Old Testament people "entertained angels without knowing it":  1.  Abraham, 2.  Gideon, 3.  Manoah.  Some people say they cannot be hospitable because their homes are not large enough or nice enough.  But even if you have no more than a table and two chairs in a rented room there are people who would be grateful to spend time in your home.  Are there visitors to your church with whom you could share a meal?  Do you know single people who would enjoy an evening of conversation?  Is there any way your home could meet the needs of traveling missionaries?  Hospitality simply means making other people feel comfortable and at home.

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All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV