For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (Hebrews 4:2)
The Word of God ministers hope, faith and love. Many times, when people hear the Word, the first thing it gives them is hope. However, hope is not enough. Hope gives you the picture afar off; pictures of possibilities; it shows you the blessings that could result from acting on God’s Word.
Faith, on the other hand, is the response of your human spirit to that
hope that God’s Word has ministered to you. While love is the way you
act upon it; the way you live by the Word that God has given you. When
the Word of God ministers hope to you, you have a choice to mix it with
faith and love for it to produce the results that God wants. If you
don’t mix it with faith, you’ll get a different result.
For example, in the Old Testament, Sarah, Abraham’s wife, heard the Word, that she was going to have a son for Abraham (Genesis 17:16). But at that moment in her life, she didn’t mix the Word with faith. She tried to make God’s Word come to pass her own way, by contriving to give her maid, Hagar, to Abraham so she could get a son through her. The Word brought her hope, but God required her faith as well. However, things didn’t quite work out as she expected. Hagar did bear a son for Abraham, Ishmael by name, but that wasn’t the result God wanted. Sarah soon became frustrated and upset by the result she got (Genesis 21:9).
Don’t try to make God do things your own way or try to “help” Him make His Word come to pass. The Lord never fails or disappoints. He however expects you to mix His Word with faith and walk in love, for faith works by love.
PRAYER
Dear Father, as I study your Word today, my spirit is enlightened to know and walk in the paths you’ve ordained for me. I declare that the power, glory and realities of your glorious Kingdom are unveiled to me as I fellowship with the Spirit, and the Word today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
James 1:3
Living Bible (TLB)
3 for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.
1 Corinthians 13:13
Living Bible (TLB)
13 There are three things that remain—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
Galatians 5:6
Living Bible (TLB)
6 And we to whom Christ has given eternal life don’t need to worry about whether we have been circumcised or not, or whether we are obeying the Jewish ceremonies or not; for all we need is faith working through love.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 Year Reading Plan : Luke 4:14-44 Deuteronomy 22-24
2 Year Reading Plan : Romans 2:1-11 Psalm 90
For example, in the Old Testament, Sarah, Abraham’s wife, heard the Word, that she was going to have a son for Abraham (Genesis 17:16). But at that moment in her life, she didn’t mix the Word with faith. She tried to make God’s Word come to pass her own way, by contriving to give her maid, Hagar, to Abraham so she could get a son through her. The Word brought her hope, but God required her faith as well. However, things didn’t quite work out as she expected. Hagar did bear a son for Abraham, Ishmael by name, but that wasn’t the result God wanted. Sarah soon became frustrated and upset by the result she got (Genesis 21:9).
Don’t try to make God do things your own way or try to “help” Him make His Word come to pass. The Lord never fails or disappoints. He however expects you to mix His Word with faith and walk in love, for faith works by love.
PRAYER
Dear Father, as I study your Word today, my spirit is enlightened to know and walk in the paths you’ve ordained for me. I declare that the power, glory and realities of your glorious Kingdom are unveiled to me as I fellowship with the Spirit, and the Word today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
James 1:3
Living Bible (TLB)
3 for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.
1 Corinthians 13:13
Living Bible (TLB)
13 There are three things that remain—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
Galatians 5:6
Living Bible (TLB)
6 And we to whom Christ has given eternal life don’t need to worry about whether we have been circumcised or not, or whether we are obeying the Jewish ceremonies or not; for all we need is faith working through love.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 Year Reading Plan : Luke 4:14-44 Deuteronomy 22-24
2 Year Reading Plan : Romans 2:1-11 Psalm 90
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