WEBVTT 00:04.330 --> 00:12.379 [SPEAKER_00]: Hebrews 11 one says, Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 00:13.520 --> 00:17.864 [SPEAKER_00]: Faith is the undercurrent of everything we do as followers of Jesus. 00:18.645 --> 00:23.570 [SPEAKER_00]: Without faith, we lose all that Christ died to give us, while here on earth. 00:24.471 --> 00:35.379 [SPEAKER_00]: It is by faith we access the peace, joy, guidance, love, and purpose that comes from restored relationship with our Heavenly Father. 00:36.420 --> 00:43.085 [SPEAKER_00]: In this week's first 15, we're going to seek an increase in faith in response to God's faithfulness. 00:44.026 --> 00:51.271 [SPEAKER_00]: May you experience a greater depth of intimacy with your living, almighty, and loving Heavenly Father. 00:52.132 --> 00:54.453 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15th of August. 01:12.760 --> 01:17.982 [SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from 1 Corinthians chapter 2 verses 3 through 5. 01:21.924 --> 01:43.189 [SPEAKER_00]: and I was with you in weakness, and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not implausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 01:47.297 --> 01:54.701 [SPEAKER_00]: As believers living our lives founded on the hope given to us by God, faith is our lifeblood. 01:55.742 --> 01:57.923 [SPEAKER_00]: Without faith, we have nothing. 01:59.143 --> 02:09.569 [SPEAKER_00]: Without faith, all sense of purpose, value, and joy in present trials and circumstances scatters as dust in the wind. 02:10.953 --> 02:19.477 [SPEAKER_00]: But with faith, we discover a wellspring of life with its origins found in the faithfulness of our Creator God. 02:20.737 --> 02:31.662 [SPEAKER_00]: With faith, we experience the effects of promises made to us by our living, loving, active, and trustworthy Heavenly Father. 02:33.187 --> 02:33.788 [SPEAKER_00]: with faith. 02:34.428 --> 02:44.355 [SPEAKER_00]: The abundant life God desires for us is removed from a shroud of doubt, fear, and hopelessness, and becomes a reality. 02:46.197 --> 02:49.499 [SPEAKER_00]: So what's at the heart of this incredible gift of faith? 02:50.860 --> 02:56.204 [SPEAKER_00]: How do we as children of God access the life-giving fruits of faith? 02:58.271 --> 03:06.814 [SPEAKER_00]: The Bible defines faith in Hebrews 111 as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 03:08.500 --> 03:17.227 [SPEAKER_00]: Hebrews 11 continues, inverses 2 through 7 by saying, for buy it the people of old received their commendation. 03:18.528 --> 03:28.456 [SPEAKER_00]: By faith we understand that the universe was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. 03:29.709 --> 03:38.053 [SPEAKER_00]: By faith, Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous. 03:39.114 --> 03:41.855 [SPEAKER_00]: God commending him by accepting his gifts. 03:42.956 --> 03:46.477 [SPEAKER_00]: And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 03:47.858 --> 03:55.522 [SPEAKER_00]: By faith, Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found because God had taken him. 03:56.850 --> 04:01.172 [SPEAKER_00]: Now before he was taken, he was commended as having pleased God. 04:02.372 --> 04:13.857 [SPEAKER_00]: And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 04:15.278 --> 04:22.421 [SPEAKER_00]: By faith, Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen in reverent fear 04:27.388 --> 04:34.033 [SPEAKER_00]: By this, He condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 04:38.056 --> 04:47.904 [SPEAKER_00]: Hebrews 11 tells us that faith is simply this, trusting in our God who is completely and altogether faithful. 04:49.645 --> 04:54.749 [SPEAKER_00]: Faith is the natural response to a revelation of God's faithfulness. 04:56.807 --> 05:03.353 [SPEAKER_00]: We are to live entirely by faith, or entirely in response to God's faithfulness. 05:04.854 --> 05:14.502 [SPEAKER_00]: Every action, thought, emotion, word, and perspective is meant to be founded on the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. 05:16.324 --> 05:23.510 [SPEAKER_00]: Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice because he had a greater revelation and trust of God's faithfulness. 05:25.285 --> 05:30.069 [SPEAKER_00]: Enoch was saved from earthly death because he pleased God with his faith. 05:31.510 --> 05:38.916 [SPEAKER_00]: Hebrews 116 makes it abundantly clear, without faith, it is impossible to please him. 05:39.797 --> 05:46.623 [SPEAKER_00]: For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 05:48.343 --> 05:54.852 [SPEAKER_00]: We are to believe in the reality of God and to trust that He will reward us when we see Him. 05:56.073 --> 06:01.881 [SPEAKER_00]: In other words, we are to live our lives entirely out of the revelation of God's faithfulness. 06:03.637 --> 06:23.091 [SPEAKER_00]: Romans 4 verses 20 through 21 says in reference to Abraham, no unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 06:25.593 --> 06:32.578 [SPEAKER_00]: We are to be children convinced of the overwhelming ability of God to move and work in our 06:35.141 --> 06:36.862 [SPEAKER_00]: Where do you lack faith today? 06:38.262 --> 06:42.263 [SPEAKER_00]: What areas of your life have you taken into your own hands? 06:44.064 --> 06:49.726 [SPEAKER_00]: Where are you full of fear, anxiety, depression, or hopelessness today? 06:51.547 --> 06:58.449 [SPEAKER_00]: Know that the path to faith in those areas is paved with fresh revelation of God's faithfulness. 07:00.068 --> 07:09.470 [SPEAKER_00]: Second Timothy 2 verse 13 says, If we are faithless, He remained faithful for He cannot deny Himself. 07:11.550 --> 07:15.011 [SPEAKER_00]: Your God will always be faithful to you. 07:16.211 --> 07:20.051 [SPEAKER_00]: You can trust Him with any problem you are going through. 07:21.032 --> 07:23.272 [SPEAKER_00]: He belongs to work in your favor. 07:29.445 --> 07:32.128 [SPEAKER_00]: and allow your heart to be transformed. 07:33.950 --> 07:49.528 [SPEAKER_00]: Spend time in prayer today, meditating on the character of your heavenly Father, and allowing the Holy Spirit to do a work in your heart on the level that would fill you with the ability and desire to live entirely in faith. 08:19.815 --> 08:24.297 [SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, meditate on how Scripture defines faith. 08:25.917 --> 08:34.700 [SPEAKER_00]: Hebrews 11 one says, now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 08:43.463 --> 08:44.976 [UNKNOWN]: Thank you very much. 09:15.625 --> 09:16.146 [SPEAKER_00]: and next. 09:17.347 --> 09:21.492 [SPEAKER_00]: Reflect on any areas in your own life where you struggle with faith. 09:23.074 --> 09:26.398 [SPEAKER_00]: What areas do you seem to live out in your own strength? 09:27.740 --> 09:31.845 [SPEAKER_00]: What anxiety or fear consistently comes against you? 09:45.496 --> 09:46.183 [UNKNOWN]: Thank you. 10:13.402 --> 10:25.768 [SPEAKER_00]: and last, meditate on the faithfulness of your heavenly Father, allow God's faithfulness to wash away any fear or anxiety you struggle with. 10:27.240 --> 10:32.783 [SPEAKER_00]: Allow his amazing character to fill you with hope, joy, and peace. 10:34.624 --> 10:41.768 [SPEAKER_00]: Psalm 36 verse 5 says, Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens. 10:42.769 --> 10:45.010 [SPEAKER_00]: Your faithfulness to the clouds. 11:25.593 --> 11:30.115 [SPEAKER_00]: The scriptures declaring the faithfulness of God go on and on. 11:31.456 --> 11:37.538 [SPEAKER_00]: All of the earth finds its life as the result of God's faithfulness to his promises. 11:38.759 --> 11:43.040 [SPEAKER_00]: We live and breathe by the goodness and love of our God. 11:44.561 --> 11:48.523 [SPEAKER_00]: God longs to give you a tangible story of his faithfulness. 11:49.523 --> 11:53.585 [SPEAKER_00]: He longs to work in your life, specifically and uniquely. 11:55.212 --> 12:03.194 [SPEAKER_00]: Open up your life to him, ask him for his help, and watch as he works faithfully in your midst. 12:04.614 --> 12:09.715 [SPEAKER_00]: Your God loves you, cares about you, and is for you. 12:11.096 --> 12:15.897 [SPEAKER_00]: May you experience the abundant life only faith can bring you today. 12:42.375 --> 12:46.437 [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you so much for listening to today's podcast on the Heart of Faith. 12:47.217 --> 12:49.078 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with 1st 15. 12:50.039 --> 12:59.423 [SPEAKER_00]: I pray that this week your faith would be lifted and established as we focus on the incredible unwavering faithfulness of our good and loving father. 13:00.701 --> 13:04.966 [SPEAKER_00]: If you haven't already, would you go leave a rating or a review on this podcast? 13:05.667 --> 13:15.077 [SPEAKER_00]: A few moments of your time could make the difference in someone else finding us and establishing the rhythm of experiencing God in a fresh way every day. 13:16.078 --> 13:20.824 [SPEAKER_00]: Or if you prefer to send us an email, you can do that at podcast at firstsentene.org. 13:22.125 --> 13:28.591 [SPEAKER_00]: We are so grateful for you and grateful that you're choosing to create space to experience the loving presence of God. 13:29.512 --> 13:34.056 [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day today and may God bless you as you see him.