Monday Morning Devotions

Prov. 16:3- "Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established."
This evening I preached from Hebrews 11:1, which refers to faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Now, evidence and substance generally refer to things that can be perceived by our five senses. Can we see faith, hear faith, touch faith, smell faith, taste faith? How can faith be equated with something tangibile? Because when we have faith in the living God, we act upon it. All the Old Testament figures in Hebrews 11's list of faithful ones were those who acted upon their faith. The pleasures of Egypt were certainly tangible to Moses. Yet he chose to identify himself with his own people rather that enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Moses chose by faith. And as he neared the end of his life, he could point to the tangible things God had done for him and for Israel. Our faith practiced over time allows us to point to the promises God has fulfilled, the healings performed, the rescue from sin, the transformation from the old to the new man in Christ. These are evidence that we can point others to. Those who do not follow Jesus do not have experience that we do when we can witness to someone "God did that for me!" The idol worshippers of Joshua's day could not build altars where they were delivered because they had no god to deliver them. But Joshua could build altars where he and Israel were delivered, because they were in fellowship with the true God. We have the promise that if we commit our works to the Lord, our thoughts will be established, or our plans will come to fruition. This does not refer just to all our selfish desires. No. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit enters our hearts, dwelling there. The Holy Spirit transforms our hearts so we have new, Godly desires. It is these thoughts that are established. And as they are established, we have evidence, tangible evidence that the living God is real and can be depended upon. Our faith is perfected by works, as James would put it.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I could type on, but time is short. The cafe is about to close. If I were to add one more thing, lets remember that today, all over the world, people have been added to the Kingdom. Lets pray that they will not be deceived by the world, the flesh, or the devil. Lets pray for their discipleship and that God would provide fellowship for them that will spur their growth. Let them not only grow in knowledge, but let them become worshippers. And let them pray down strongholds and fight unrighteousness in all its forms. May they love and defend God's church. And let their spirit reflect I Cor 13. Amen.