Faith = Prosperity?
If you were born and raised in church, you know all about Hebrews 11 and its "Hall of Faith." This is a chapter of the Bible that commends the faith of early God-followers. Many of these individuals saw incredible, awesome displays of God's power in the midst of their situation. Yet, near the end of the chapter, we are confronted with words that are haunting:
Hebrews 11:36-38, "Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated--the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground." (NIV)
I WANT to grasp tightly to a set of beliefs that assures me that the safest, most prosperous place to be is in the "will of God." Yet, over and over, the Bible cites examples of GREAT men and women of God who were brutally tortured and even executed for their faith in Him. May I constantly honor this "great cloud of witnesses" (12:1) by keeping my eyes on Jesus and not distracting myself with all of the stuff of this world. May I be humble, thankful and generous in how I live my life, especially given the faithfulness of those who have gone before me.
Hebrews 11:36-38, "Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated--the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground." (NIV)
I WANT to grasp tightly to a set of beliefs that assures me that the safest, most prosperous place to be is in the "will of God." Yet, over and over, the Bible cites examples of GREAT men and women of God who were brutally tortured and even executed for their faith in Him. May I constantly honor this "great cloud of witnesses" (12:1) by keeping my eyes on Jesus and not distracting myself with all of the stuff of this world. May I be humble, thankful and generous in how I live my life, especially given the faithfulness of those who have gone before me.
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