Dear PBM Family,

  Often I write to you, our faithful supporters and Prayer warriors, about faith.  Faith has intrigued me even before I fell to my knees (acting on faith) and invited Jesus Christ into my heart.  Faith, and/or the lack thereof, seems to be that ever-raging battle within us.  We are quick to see faith, and/or (especially) the lack thereof in others, but what of ourselves and even more, what is our Lord’s heart regarding faith?

  Verses abound on faith, and I could continue to write, likely forever, of our Lord’s Living Word regarding faith.  Let’s take steps, thus preparing for the imminent leap that Christ Jesus calls us all too!  “But we are not among those who shrink back [lack of faith/leap] and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved.”  At first glance, this 39th verse out of Hebrew 10 may not stand out.  When taken into context of the verses and yes, even the chapters all around it, things soon become clear or should be, if we allow ourselves a true and profound look at our hearts.

  Look with me at the very next verse we encounter in Hebrews is 11:1.  Yes, Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, continues verse 39 with; “Now faith is the absolute assurance of things hoped for, the certainty of things not yet seen.”  What Love the Father must have for us who struggle with faith, the faith HE calls us to have!  HE wastes no time at all, “not wanting any to perish” (2 Peter 3:9), to share with us what real faith is (Hebrews 11:1), so that we are not numbered “…among those who shrink back, and so are lost.”  

  If you are still in doubt about our Lord’s heart on “faith/or the lack thereof,” look at the verse before vs. 39; “My righteous will live by faith.  My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.”  Our Heavenly Father claims as HIS own those who “…live by faith.” But also makes it clear that HE takes no pleasure in “…anyone who shrinks back.”  Lord, help us!

  May we all come before our Lord and cry out to HIM, the Lover of our souls, for forgiveness for having walked by sight, not by faith.  Letting HIM hold us, “…in faith believing,” and then go out “…in faith believing,” rich in HIS presence, HIS promises, HIS calling, HIS vision, and yes in faith!

  “My righteous will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back. But we are not among those who shrink back (make sure of that today) and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved. Now faith is the absolute assurance of things hoped for, the certainty of things not yet seen.”

HIS servant,
dan

ps: In our never-ending Lord’s Love, I leave you with one more verse out of 1 Corinthians 10:12; “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”