May 18

From Pastor Gary…

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11: 1)

As I am writing this, Kate (my wife) is sitting on the couch on the other side of the room. It doesn’t take faith for me to believe that, because I can see her and talk to her.

Scripture states faith is believing what I do not see. I have never seen Jesus. I didn’t see him die on the cross or rise from the dead. I cannot see forgiveness of sin. I haven’t seen heaven. Yet by faith I have the conviction that Jesus lived, died, and rose again. By faith I have the assurance of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. By faith I believe God’s Word to be true. Thomas did not believe in the resurrected Jesus until he saw the mark of the nails on hands. Jesus said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed” (John 20:29). St. Paul wrote, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). By faith, we trust God for our salvation, and we trust His Word to guide us in our journey here on earth. We are among the blessed who have not seen yet believe.

Thank you, Father for the faith to believe in the good news of Jesus Christ who died and rose again for our salvation. Amen.

Verse for today:
The righteous shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17)