“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

The title of an old familiar hymn resonates deep in my heart…  “We’ve come this far by Faith.” Hebrews 11:6 states: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Everything we read and study in God’s word gives us more than just a definition of what faith is; it clearly points out what faith does! Faith is an action word; it promotes movement, it does not just sit dominant. When we encounter some of the deepest and darkest valleys in our lives, by faith we can testify that God is real, He is sovereign and faithful to all His promises! “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20. God never fails my friends!

Therefore, let us hold steadfast to our convictions, always remembering that our actions exemplify what we believe. If we truly believe and testify that Christ has risen from the dead and is the only Begotten Son of the one true and living God, then our salvation is sure and it should show in our speech and actions! “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:8-9.  ,

So, where is your faith today-when trouble comes knocking at your door, will you put your faith in action? In this life we all experience the sunshine and the rain, the word tells us in Romans 5:3-5: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulations worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Those same trials and tribulations force us to put our faith in action. God knows what He’s doing…as I look back over my life, I see the omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of Almighty God with me every step of the way; He kept me as a 4lb preemie when my parents stepped out on faith way back in January of 1959…taking me home when doctors said I wouldn’t survive- warmed me on the entrance of the oven door to improvise as an incubator-only to return a few month later with a ten pound healthy baby girl… nobody but God. I recall the words of Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

The half has not been told… it would take books to tell of God’s goodness in my life- as Langston Hughes wrote in “Mother to Son:” Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair! But the loving handprint of God is tapered over every breath that I breathe and I’m still holding on to His unchanging hands. Over 28 years as a kidney transplant survivor, numerous surgeries, and illnesses, dangers seen and unseen far beyond what you can imagine….and I must testify that my good days truly out way my bad days and in no way can I remain silent that my Lord and my Savior is my healer, my deliverer, my protector, my provider . . .  my all and all… El Shaddai, Adonai . . . I have come this far by faith and my anchor holds and grips the solid rock, which is JESUS! “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” Hebrews 6:19.

I humbly must admit, that there are those of you out there who have succumb to much greater challenges in life…but what I must say is that the same Almighty, Loving, Faithful and Eternal GOD is the one who keeps us all- so let us never cease to tell the story of how we’re overcomers through the power of Christ Jesus our Lord. Faithfully proclaiming  that He is our Creator and risen Savior, the one and only potentate, who has all power and He will take care of you! “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17. Hallelujah!

Blessings and peace to all-never give up, no matter how rough the road…for God will never give up on you!