CCOG Newsletter

Take this short time - morning, afternoon, or night, whenever you are reading this - to take a mental and physical break.

Look around. Take some time to feel grateful for the things that you see. Thank God for the person in the room with you or for the place where are.

Listen for a minute. Do you hear kids laughing? Music playing? Or may the blissful sound of silence?! Speak your gratitude out loud. Tell God "thank you" for His blessings.

I heard it said recently that the secret to having a rich life was to keep being thankful for what we already have. Really embrace the focus of gratitude this month. It can have a transformative effect.

If you are familiar with the term hall of fame, you will understand why Hebrews 11 is called the faith hall of fame. Just read on to find the awe-inspiring feats of these individuals. But unlike a list of sporting heroes, these people are commended for their faith and not for what they achieved in their earthly lives. Though the ancients are just like us, flawed and weak in their ways, the Bible testifies to their true faith.

The essence of true faith described by Hebrews 11:1 debunks the many notions of faith in our modern world. Faith is not positive thinking or feelings that we conjure up. It is not a wishful hope that everything is going to be alright. Faith is not a belief that our greatest wishes and dreams will be fulfilled as long as we work towards them.

Rather, biblical faith is a posture of firm confidence in the Word of God, even when we have not yet received the fulfilment of His promises. Though we do not see, faith trusts in the certainty of who God is by His word. Faith looks at the beauty of creation and celebrates the invisible God and His mighty acts. Faith enables us to perceive the fingerprints of God through creation and recognise how He is divine and eternally powerful (Romans 1:20).

Many of us started this year hoping to “grow in faith.” The faith of the ancients gives this aspiration form and substance. To learn to centre our lives not on what we can immediately see, feel, or grasp. To live based on what God has promised in His Word and look forward to their fulfilment in confidence. Will we allow biblical faith to guide our lives, working its way from the inside to the out-workings of our everyday? Our spiritual journeys are truly not done yet!