Experiencing God - Day 21
Day 21 - Monday, March 3
Read Hebrews 11
Highlight
This week we’re reflecting on the truth that God's invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action. Hebrews 11 is often referenced as the quintessential passage regarding faith. Here, the writer of Hebrews, takes the time to list out great heroes of the Jewish faith and there are a couple of important, common characteristics we should note that tell us something about the kind of faith that brings honor to God.
First, every person is commended as faithful because of the action they took in response to God’s particular calling/instruction or insurmountable circumstances. Blackaby gives us a concise application: “What you do reveals what you believe”. It is one thing to profess faith in God, it is a demonstrably more powerful thing to act on that faith by attempting to do or endure what to human wisdom would seem impossible or imprudent.
Second, many individuals on this list were unlikely ‘heroes’ to begin with, and for many the actions they took in faith did not lead to ultimate triumph in this life. Blackaby says it this way, “Outward appearances of success do not always indicate faith, and outward appearances of failure do not always indicate a lack of faith”. Faith that honors God does not guarantee comfort or achievement by any means, in fact there is plenty of evidence in Scripture to suggest the exact opposite. What these faithful followers knew, and gave them incredible courage in the face of extraordinary circumstances, was that the reward for their faith was secure, not in this life, but in their eternal life with God. “Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (v. 16).
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Hebrews 11
Highlight
This week we’re reflecting on the truth that God's invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action. Hebrews 11 is often referenced as the quintessential passage regarding faith. Here, the writer of Hebrews, takes the time to list out great heroes of the Jewish faith and there are a couple of important, common characteristics we should note that tell us something about the kind of faith that brings honor to God.
First, every person is commended as faithful because of the action they took in response to God’s particular calling/instruction or insurmountable circumstances. Blackaby gives us a concise application: “What you do reveals what you believe”. It is one thing to profess faith in God, it is a demonstrably more powerful thing to act on that faith by attempting to do or endure what to human wisdom would seem impossible or imprudent.
Second, many individuals on this list were unlikely ‘heroes’ to begin with, and for many the actions they took in faith did not lead to ultimate triumph in this life. Blackaby says it this way, “Outward appearances of success do not always indicate faith, and outward appearances of failure do not always indicate a lack of faith”. Faith that honors God does not guarantee comfort or achievement by any means, in fact there is plenty of evidence in Scripture to suggest the exact opposite. What these faithful followers knew, and gave them incredible courage in the face of extraordinary circumstances, was that the reward for their faith was secure, not in this life, but in their eternal life with God. “Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (v. 16).
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Posted in Experiencing God