week of 1-17-11 1st recorded highquest Bible study (Hebrews 11:8-16)

The passage I read was Hebrews 11:8-16

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+11:8-16&version=NIV

The verse that most stands out to me in this passage:

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.

As I reflect:

In verses 8-12 we are given examples of those in the Bible who lived by faith. Specifically, the examples given are of those who faithfully responded to God and yet did not get to receive fully their promised inheritance during this lifetime. In verse 13-16 they are defined as a people who are looking for their true home. We see this in them by their actions. If they were a people of this world, then they would desire and trust only in the things of this world. However, because each of them trusted God for their next step (even when it was not seen) they showed that they were people of faith that were destined for their home in Heaven. We have this same choice here. As people watch our actions, they are seeing the evidence of our faith. Is our faith….Is my faith such that when people watch my life they see that I am living for the Lord and my home in Heaven? Do they see that I am a foreigner here and that I do not act like those of this land because I do not believe as those of this land? This should show as evidence of our own faith in things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1-2 (The Message)

^1-2The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

Hebrews 11:1-2 (New King James Version)

¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

My response to the Lord:

Father God, you above all others know that I am not perfect by any means other than your son’s blood covering my sins. You know my failures and stumbling blocks though you choose to look past them and show mercy. Lord, daily in my walk with you I am faced with this thought; this driving knowledge that others are watching to see if my life reflects the faith I have in you or if I will fall flat on my face and fail to glorify you in my hardships. More important than that is the thought that you see not only my actions but my every thought. You know me. I am your sheep. And though I know that my greatest gift to you is still without worth, I am also convinced here by your word that you can be pleased with me and that I can obtain a good testimony. For your word says, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Father, I believe this of you and I diligently seek you daily. May you reward my efforts and be pleased that I continue daily in this walk by faith that others may see your glory at work in my life. In Jesus Name.