Hebrews 11:1   Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.     

Paul agreed with this.   Romans 8:24-25   For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

The writer of Hebrews encouraged us in this hope.   Hebrews10:23   Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

If you can't see where you are going, you are not alone.  Abraham didn't know where he was going, either.  He only knew that God was leading him.  And he believed.

When you can't see your way ahead, trust the One who is leading you there.  He is with you every step of the way.

1 Corinthians 10:13  (Phillips Translation)

No temptation has come your way that is too hard for flesh and blood to bear. But God can be trusted not to allow you to suffer any temptation beyond your powers of endurance. He will see to it that every temptation has a way out, so that it will never be impossible for you to bear it.

When you are tempted, look for the door.  Then run like Joseph did from Potapher's house.  There is always a way out.

Revelation 5:9-10   And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Heaven will be glorious!  Don't you want to be there, too?

Romans 5:6  NLT   When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

Did you notice?  Paul included himself in this verse.  So why are we so ready to point fingers at others?  How are we so quick to judge?  We want to rewrite that verse to say that Jesus died for all YOU sinners.

​Romans 3:23 tells us that we have all sinned and fall short of God's glory (and standard).  We could never approach God on our own.

Paul understood his own failures.  He agreed with God that sin in his life was sin.  We need to do the same.  In order to be cured, we need to recognize the need.  Ah, but there is good news!

Because even at the time that we were utterly helpless (like today, for instance), Jesus Christ came just at the right moment.  And He died for us, because we all all sinners.  And because of what He has done, we can be saved!

Ephesians 3:14-21
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​For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family[c] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 127:1   Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 

Go ahead.  Build your life.  Build your salvation.  Build your church.  But it won't matter.  Only God can give your life meaning.  Only God can bring salvation.  Only God can build His Church.

Go ahead.  Guard your stuff.  Make sure it is safe and that it will always be yours.  But it won't matter.  Everything you have will be gone one day.  Or it will still be here, but you will be gone.  Either way, it won't be yours any more.

If you trust God to build your life, and if you trust Him to give you all that He knows you need, you will have contentment.  He satisfies completely.

Matthew 16:18   And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus told Peter that he and the other apostles were the bedrock upon which He would build His church.  We love building our own churches, built upon our likes and comfort zones.

We build in order to be safe, comfortable and trouble free.  But when Jesus built His Church, He said "the gate of hell shall not prevail against it.

The Church built by Jesus is a dangerous place.  It is full of love, but also full of boldness and power.  He calls us to build with Him.  But the choice is ours.  Will we let Jesus build His Church through us, or will we build our church to suit our desires?

Matthew 4:1-4   Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

​Just as food is essential for physical life, living for Christ is the only way to spiritual life.  Jesus Himself said that He is not only the Way and the Truth, but the Life.

1 John 5:4    For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 

We overcome when we rely completely on Christ.  We have no power on our own to overcome anything, but He has already overcome.

John 16:33   I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

So trust Jesus to overcome whatever you are facing in your world today.  he has already overcome!

Colossians 2:14 (MSG)   When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross. 

Linus of Peanuts fame quoted Luke chapter 2 and told Charlie Brown, "And that's the meaning of Christmas."  He got it right, but there is another question to ask.  Why did Jesus come?

He came to die.  He came to give you and I the greatest gift ever:  Himself.  He came so that we can live with Him forever.  Have you accepted this gift?  Have you asked Jesus to be the center of your life, forgiving your sin and giving you this new life?  If not, why not do it now?  He is inviting you to the greatest life you could ever know.  Accept the gift of Jesus today!