SOAP 07/14/2011; Hebrews 11:6

Today's reading: Isaiah 19, 20, 21; Hebrews 11

S) "⁶ And 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 seek Him." - Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)

O) This is, at first, axiomatic. In order to please God, we must believe that He exists. But second, we need to believe that He values our relationship with Him. That's what it means to say that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. God values our relationship with Him. Unless we understand that the relationship is vital, we will not be able to serve Him for long. This is a trustworthy statement I have heard, "Rules without relationship, always lead to rebellion." and this is no more true anywhere, than with God.

A) The writer of Hebrews goes on to list a virtual All-Star team of men of faith from the history of the Bible. Reading through it, I'm reminded of the Sara Groves song, "When the Saints" and I can't help but feel a strong conviction that I want to be listed like this, some where. Not for the fame, or for the glory, but because I want to know that my life can be used for something, long after I'm gone. Faith is like a muscle, the more I use it, the stronger it gets. I need to live according to great faith, if I want my faith to become great.

P) Jesus, just as the disciples asked, I ask for more faith. In the faith they had they performed countless miracles, yet you told them their faith was small. I can only imagine my is smaller. I want that to change; increase my faith. I also know that Your Word increases my faith. Among the other fruit I want my studies to bring, let my Bible study increase my faith in Your name, Jesus. I want my faith to be great, so that I can be greatly used. In Your name I pray. Amen.