Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-40
After you finish reading today’s scriptures, come back and use the blurb and question here to dig deeper into the themes of faith, hope, obedience, and suffering. Join your fellow Bible readers in the comments to reflect and chat about what you’re learning!
As you read Hebrews 11 again in its entirety, remember the details you noticed in the stories of these men and women who endured in faith. As we reach the end of this reading plan, reflect on how your perspective on any of these stories, on Hebrews 11 as a whole, or on your own faith has changed as a result of your reading the last five weeks.
How have you seen your understanding of faith change or expand as you’ve read?
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158 thoughts on "Live by Faith"
My perspective has changed after seeing how having a connection to your heart and having faith as to be so strong that you can let physical aspects of life change you but the ones you can’t see
I have grown and learned so much! This series gave me the final push I needed to fully surrender my life to the Lord and live by faith, making this confession through baptism! I was baptized and born again yesterday, 11/17!
That is so cool, Michaela!
Welcome to the family!!
So happy for you Michaela!!
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God has shown me so many things
I try so hard to be as efficient as I can for God. To make sure to do the right thing (whatever I think that may be) so that I don’t get stuck somewhere I shouldn’t on the walk. I’m just grateful that God uses people who are not doing what they should be and uses them to do powerful things for His glory.
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Thankfully, efficiency is not a part of the Fruit of the Spirit. It is just a big, fat, old American value and nothing more. You are loved for who you are, not for what you do.
Congratulations Lanie!
Update… son’s appointment/interview/testing went well. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for my peace. Hubby is a retired patrolman, and our oldest is going down this career path too. I had wished for something different… but it’s not my decision to make.
❤ I understand!
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This reading has reminded me (yet again) that sometimes we are living within the miracles or things we might have even prayed for but we do not see it yet. Thank you all ladies for sharing such wisdom during this series. Your testimonies/ experiences inspire me. I appreciate you all sharing your views which in turn help me better understand scripture. Iron sharpens iron Dear She’s! Looking forward to our next study!
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How have you seen your understanding of faith change or expand as you’ve read?
This was a great reminder of how faith can shape and change our thoughts on worship and love of our Lord. These stories touched and inspired me a lot. There were teachable moments, there were moments in this reading plan I cried, and there were times I questioned things and was deeply confused. This reading plan highlighted that faith will keep us on the path and fear will scare us away. Faith matters.
Just thought I’d share, attended a Mercy Me Concert last night along with Zach Williams and Toby Mac. I have to say these old ears, struggled with Toby’s acoustics, but it was a wonderful night of praise.
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Beloved Lord Jesus Help me to walk By Faith!
Faith is belief in the unseen. Trusting God in the unknown.
I loved reading Hebrews 11 in its entirety today. I feel like after doing this study, I know all of the individual people mentioned better. I think the main thing that sticks out is their certainty that God’s way was better than the world’s way. I pray that I would live my life that way. ❤️
Hello Shes
My faith expanded as I contemplated the women whose names are mentioned.
Sarah first laughed in her unbelief but
later to rejoice & hold a place most high in the biblical story as matriarch. In many ways she was not a nice woman. Sarah was impatient & jealous & cruel to Hagar. But she was transformed mentally, emotional & physically. We aren’t told much about these inner workings. But something powerful happened in her spirit. She came to experience an awesome God able to accomplish the impossible.
Sarah’s story shows me that my mistakes & shortcomings & ambivalence are not deal breakers. How God intends to use me happens according to His divine will. He is forgiving. He is persistent.And that’s not something to scoff at.
In contrast, Rahab , a prostitute was open & responsive from the beginning. She did not shy away or buy time by indecision. She had heard about the God of Israel. She stepped out at huge risk to hide the spies. And negotiate an agreement for protection of her & her family. Would the plan succeed? Would she & her family be accepted? Her boldness, her intuition & trust despite the unknown earned her, too, a place of honor & respect in biblical lore.
Rahab’s story shows me what fearlessness looks like, alongside confidence & courage. Not reckless. But calmly. Could I do something similar if confronted in my own time? Or am I too timid & too quick to play it safe? What chances & choices are ahead that will call me to act & advance a cause? Would I be ready?
Thank you for your comments.❤️
Re-reading Hebrews 11 is like watching a short film flashing through the ages of time. I am so inspired, re-charged, and your stories from yesterday added a much personal touch. My takeaway is, weakness are turned into strength, by faith, by faith in GOD. And even if promises are not yet fulfilled, we might not see results, do it anyways for the sake of those behind us watching us stepping out of the boat onto the water.. in faith, in faith. Thank you dear shes for sharing your stories and testimonies. Truly, they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. I am so thankful to be part of this community.
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PRAYERS LIFTED UP
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@ALLISON BENTLEY: healing grace over your dad as he starts leukemia treatment, strength and resilience for the family to be along his side.
@TAMI: Chela’s midterm today to go well, that she will rejoice and have a good rest.
@BARB D: for your daughters’ hearts to be touched by God and His protection over each of them, for emotional healing, restoration and reconciliation opportunities to come for your family.
@ADRIENNE: job testing/ preparation process to go well for your son.
@LANIE H: happy to hear your update! praying your healing after c-section to go well, good feeding and sleeping for baby, rest for mama. May the Lord bless your baby girl to grow in wisdom and strength all the days of her life, that His light, His faithfulness and mercies always sustain her, that His angel be with her to guard and protect her.
@MICHELLE P: for the open mic today to go well, may God bless your voice, your confidence and prepare the hearts and ears of those who will hear, that God’s seed be sown ( I watch The Voice, the blind auditions of young Christian artists are my favorite, and I often think of you).
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Have a nice weekend shes.
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Thank you, sister. ❤️
15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back.
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That is the verse that jumped out at me in the initial reading and after reading through in entirety again today, that verse still stands out. FAITH IS A CHOICE. Like these icons of faith, we could choose to go back to the life of worldy seeking/pleasing only the flesh, but we KNOW and HAVE FAITH that we are PROMISED an inheritance – eternity with God (and these icons of faith).
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This study is at the top of my list as well and the depth of sharing and prayers has been so rich! Thank you SRT and staff for this opportunity! Love all of you sisters! ❤
Oh wow!! what a great observation!!! Such a deep truth to hold on to. We could go back, if we wanted to, and many people do… but I certainly don’t want to!!
Thanks, Kris! Neither do I! ❤
This study has been a guiding light to me. ❤️ Through suffering we exchange experiences, thoughts, people, lineage, and places for something greater than this world. Faith changes us and transforms us into the people God had originally planned for us to be.
This has been one of the richest SRT studies I’ve ever done. I would describe what I experienced the past 5 weeks as really rekindling my faith into a roaring fire once again. With the immense trials of having my youngest daughter in prison and my eldest daughter cutting us out of her life, this had been a blessing in life’s latest trials. Love you, ladies, and I continue to pray for you all as you seek Him!
I agree. I am so sorry about your daughters. I have a special love for the ladies in prison and go every week to our local jail! We call them our butterflies because when they feel like there is no way, God can bring transformation!! So I pray your daughter will hit that place and be encouraged by someone near her to perhaps see a light in them, and the seeds began to take root or watered, or harvested, whatever my be needed, In JESUS’ HOLY NAME!! One song that might encourage you that I sing…”Speak Jesus!” I like Kingsporch version, and the Charity Gayle takes it to another level!! Prayers for you, a hurting mom for the prodigal daughters Barb…they will return!! (speak Jesus is playing right now…it is a God wink as I read your comment!)
I love this: “We call them our butterflies because when they feel like there is no way, God can bring transformation!!” I am remembering this for people who are lost that I care for. This is so encouraging <3
Yes, when you look at the worm and how it goes to die, and is completely made new and transformed! And the butterfly has to work and push it’s way out to make himself stronger, it’s not easy, but if you help it it won’t fly!! And there is something in the Bible about the worm dying that is fascinating, not sure where it is.! It’s really fascinating and such a rich comparison!
Oh, Barb… ❤️
I would also like to share with you She’s that my earthly father started immunotherapy treatment this week for leukemia. My dad, my hero, my rock- is now weak, tired and broken (and it’s only week one). This study and its timing couldn’t be more perfect. I too feel Gods presence through a difficult time and I am so grateful for the “faith lens” to view our families reality. Lord I pray our family has the faith like those in Hebrews 11 and should the reality of what is hoped for not come to fruition in THIS LIFE we have faith in Your promises, faith in Your outcome and the obedience to keep coming back for more of You Lord! This is our temporary home and we know you go before us! Amen!
Yes, Amen Allison, He is in control and knows! Prayers for your family. My dad is also now stays in bed ailing. It’s hard to see.
I’m praying for you Allison and your sweet father. Thank you for that beautiful prayer.
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This study has been absolutely wonderful. Over the past weeks I have been reminded how the LORD has continuously been faithful to me and my family. No matter what is going on in the world, I am reminded through faith, I have a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind. Thank you Father!
I know some that went through what I did with my son may have turned away from God. Been angry with Him. BUT how could I do that. God is who carried me through. It only made my faith stronger. I do believe it is the hard times in our lives that will strengthen our faith. It’s too bad we are built that way, but it is a fact. When life is going along honky dory we don’t need God or anyone. At least that is what we think.
The faith that has been shown to us in these stories amaze me. Could we do what Noah did? Or Rahab? That blind faith is inspiring. I had the God, prayer, the Bible, and all of you at SRT to carry me through.
You are an inspiration to me
Yes she is!
Your right Tracy…how could we make it with our faith, in HIM?
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You are an inspiration to many, Traci! God bless you! ❤
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I’m thankful for those that went before us. They showed great faith and perseverance in the face of much struggling. It is such an encouragement. Life can get really tough sometimes.
Hmm my comment awaiting moderation since this morning. Wondering why? Beautiful insights ladies and great study! One of my favs! Pls pray for my daughter’s chem midterm today. She needs a win! She’s been studying so much! Thx!!
Praying for a Win!!
Whatever did you write!? lol. When that happens I’m like—what did I say!! That happens in my jail lady letter too…they get blocked!! Then I realized I said things like…God is a Giant “KILLER!” or Paul sang “and the PRISON WALL’S FELL and they were free, and the Guard wanted to kill himself” but by their testimony!! lol. Those words get flagged!! (whoops!)
Tami, first time ever for moderation recently my comment never posted. I had only copied and pasted a Scripture from biblegateway! ❤ Praying that test is a win!
Thank you all for your insights,personal posts and experiences as well as your prayers. My faith has been encouraged and strengthened by this devotional. God bless you ❤️
To sit in these verses of “by faith” the last 5 weeks has been a great encouragement. Thank you SRT and those in this community who have shared insight, experience and wisdom, who have challenged, encouraged and prayed.
The testimony of faith, the practice of faith, the growing of faith, the hope of faith become all the more a part of who we are when we read and study the Truth of faith.
Heavenly Father, may I be found faithful ❤️
Yes, and you are so humble that you rarely mention your diagnosis…I know our God has protected YOU!! But know you are always in my prayers dear Wendy!!
Thank you❤️
This study has been so good! What stood out to me was that they didn’t all see the promise fulfilled her on earth. We have to trust God to do what is best for us. And they desired a better country a heavenly one! I think we have that desire within us but sometimes we try to fill that desire with other things here on earth. But nothing will fill that desire for more of Him or Heaven but God.
May I keep my focus on Him!
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I have been so blessed by all of your comments throughout this study as well as praying for your requests. What joy to know Lainy’s baby has arrived safely!
My take away is that faith in God is trusting Him with a dependence, surrendering my will to His, keeping my eyes fixed on Him, not the circumstances or doubts, and walking in obedience to what He says in His Word or calls,me to do. All these examples did this and so must I. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us run the race marked out for us with our eyes fixed on the prize, just like them. Trust and obey. Be blessed dear sisters in Christ. Looking forward to our next study with you.
A couple of thoughts today. As I was reading today I was thinking how it didn’t mention any of these peoples shortcomings. Except Rahab, poor Rahab. Doesn’t that say so much about God? It just makes me so grateful. As someone who struggles with everything having to be just right and having high expectations for myself it is hard to accept this kind of love. He just wants our faith. Faith wins God’s approval (11.2) The gospel! By faith alone we are saved. I pray one day I can FULLY live in this freedom and shake off the shame satan throws at me daily.
This study has been amazing! I sat here this morning in prayer thanking God for She reads truth, it’s hard to imagine not having this resource. Thank you SRT for these studies, I can’t really put into words what they mean to me. Even down to my Bible. I did not want to give up my old Bible but the cover was falling apart and I couldn’t hardly find space to write in it. In 2017 i got a SRT Bible and I love it just as much as my old one. I was just overwhelmed with gratitude this morning.. so much of my growth and walk with the Lord comes down to this platform. Thank you, thank you for your faithfulness.
Before reading I noticed Hebrews 10.39 highlighted and I’m so glad I read it. But we are NOT those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have FAITH and are saved! Thank you Jesus! The song find us faithful is a song that always makes me think of my grandpa. I shared about my pink pen testimony a few weeks ago. I will never forget standing behind him in church holding my grandmas hand singing this song. Tears streaming down my face as I worshiped and thanked God for this man. It makes me think of this study and I thought I would share the lyrics.
We’re pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road
And those who’ve gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God’s sustaining grace
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who’ve gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we’ve left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find
Thank you Jesus for the people before us, may we be those same people to those behind us.
Hebrews 11.4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith. The legacy of faith…. Even when we are gone, if we have lived a life of faith , we will still be impacting those behind us. The stories of yesterday is proof of this! Have a blessed weekend shes. Sorry for my windiness:)
I love the vision of you holding hands with your grandma in such a time. beautiful.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful lyrics/poem song. I love the book the Pilgrim’s Progress (studying it right now)- the poems in there are of similar language to the song you share. Just incredible encouragement.
Thank you SRT for this amazing study of Hebrews 11 and for all of you SRT sisters for sharing your faith. We have lost possessions and people, we have added babies and new sisters during this study and are keeping the faith! Much love and prayers for you all ❤️
The other thing that strikes me, is that everyone on this list had to go thru something in order to have faith. We won’t get faith by never having a hard time. It’s in the hard times that our faith is established and matured. So, I guess it’s ok that hard times come along from time to time, because in those times we get the opportunity to see God work in ways that we could never do on our own.
❤ True; we just have to be attentive and willing. ❤
I am so grateful for this study and all the comments I’ve read. You all are such an encouragement to me! By faith, the Lord has been so good, as a single woman in her 40s Who has wanted to be married since she was 20, the Lord has been so kind to take me on a journey of faith that has taught me how to trust him. He knows best. He does give us the desires of our hearts, it might not be exactly as we thought planned. He has made me into a foster mama that is learning to trust him in a whole new way. I am content, continuing to learn to trust the Lord, and grow in him, he has given me such joy and a beautiful life! My heart is overflowing with thankfulness today for how much he loves and cares for us! Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!
Beautiful testimony! God’s plans and purposes may be different then ours but he knows what will align our desires with his!! WHAT a blessing you are to the ones you foster…stepping in at the most vulnerable spot for these dear children. It can’t be easy, but clearly you love it.
As I was reflecting on yesterday’s posts, the thought came to me…. would someone list me as someone who was influential in their spiritual life? would anyone name me as the person who inspired them the most? Someone out there needs me to be faithful and bold and giving and willing to sacrifice my comforts to come along side and help grow them into spiritual maturity. There are someones out there in all our lives that need us to be like this list of faithful people. O Father, make me into the faithful follower You want me to be. Let my faith be seen by the people around me, help me to inspire others to learn and grow.
Yes, amen!! God wants us ALL to be his faithful warriors for others! We are all called to be disciples or Jesus lovers!!
Amen, Kris! I have had the same throughout this study. Worthy challenge!
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I think of Churchmouse and Angie and others whom we haven’t heard from in months! I think of them often. I have a comment of Churchmouse written down and taped to my bathroom mirror.
I miss their presence here too. So much insight and wisdom. By faith they pointed us to Jesus ❤️
Me too – I pray for them.
Same! ❤
Our God does not change. HE is the same yesterday, today and forever! We can trust Him! We can trust Him to do what He says He will do. If some of these amazing people mentioned in Hebrews 11 didn’t get to “see” the promise, yet believed and were worth mentioning here in Hebrews 11. One thing that I’m so taken by is Rahab. To the world back then she was probably a nobody, BUT GOD saw a “somebody” in her and meant SO much to Him that because of her, here we are. God can use anybody, no matter their background or past. Thank you JESUS! Happy Friday sweeties!
Yes, we were thinking the same thing! God is the same- yesterday, today, and forever! “Same God” by Elevation Worship!
GM! Love this study, definitely hope to come back to it in times of doubt and heavy-ladden. It is a beautiful summation of hope and faith, through he hard, tiring, endless ups and downs of this life.
The song “Same God” comes to mind, because though out time, from the beginning to the end, there is one Creator that is working all things, the master of the universe, holding it all in his hands, yet MY God, my friend that hears and and sees me. He knows me intimately. He knows my heart, my woes, my joys and hopes. And he loves my faith, as I pray for assurance that he is working all things for good, for those that love him!! Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!! That he sent his Son, for us mere stubborn, stiff-necked people. The mercy and justification for all people, you only need a mustard seed of faith to believe Jesus Saves! Then it grows.
My faith is grown not only by the word and relationship with God, but my heroes of faith…my she’s! As many, many of you, past and present, go through my mind in my prayers and your witness as my heroes of faith ladies. Your life, bits and pieces shared here over the years. Then my own diary of ups and downs journey of faith, may I share it often with whoever has ears to listen (and don’t, lol!)
A beautiful, impactful study, as every book of the Bible is relative, alive, and moving, and used for our good. It was the original, beautiful idea of two ladies of faith that just wanted women to be women of the word, reading daily that became SHE READS TRUTH! Thank you Amanda and Rachael!
Lanie- Excited for you and your husband! It brings back the exciting time of being a new mother and little family. Holding that precious baby in my arms with awe and wonder! The first year can seem daunting, and then you look up to take a breath and the first year has flown by! Praying for our new little God-daughter, she will be covered here in prayer!! Can’t wait to hear her name!
Yes, we were and I was thinking that you and I, though 3 hour difference, we probably sit at-the-same-time to do our SRT devo. It brought JOY to my heart! So glad you are part of my life and can’t wait to meet you someday!
aw, you are the sweetest! You’re right..probably doing around the same time, that is a really cool thought! JOY!
I love that song “Same God”, too. The same God that sustained all these faithful people, is the same God I have today to sustain me
I’ve shared this before during our study, but I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that this study came into my life just days before the fire that destroyed our home. Through this journey, I’ve experienced an almost supernatural peace, and this study has challenged me to take a deeper look at what it means to remain faithful, especially in moments where I’m tempted to take control to “fix” things. It’s been a humbling reminder to let God be God, trusting Him beyond the limits of my own understanding.
I also feel my understanding of this topic has grown so much richer, thanks to the insights and reflections shared by all of you each morning. I learn from each of you, and the way we lift one another up in prayer strengthens my faith. For this community and our shared journey, I am deeply grateful.
So good!
Maria….I was just thinking of you yesterday and praying for you regarding your home. Praying our Jehova Jireh will continue to provide!
Isaac was “as good as dead”… always makes me giggle!
* Abram
Sing along… Father Abraham had many sons. And many sons had father Abraham…
So. Much. Struggle. And yet they were faithful… Am I?
This entire study has been a reminder to me that our God is faithful, and He can be trusted – always!
When I am weak, He is strong. When I doubt, He is true. When I fear, He quiets my heart. When I am faithless, He is faithful. How can I not help but put my faith and trust in the One who died for me, while I was still a sinner…To God be the glory, great things He has done!!
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Happy Friday sisters, praying for you all!
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It strikes me that faith waited, faith lamented, faith was from fear at times…there isn’t a perfect way to have faith. God is the perfect perfector. Reward my faith, forgive my doubt Lord. Amen
Amen!
Amen!
Love this!!! Thanks for sharing Aimee!
Love that insight, Aimee!
Love this! Amen!
What an encouragement to look at all these amazing people of the Bible who went before us and trusted in Gods perfect plan. They didn’t get to see Gods promises fulfilled on earth but will see them fulfilled in heaven. This helps remind me to stay faithful, pray diligently, and to know that even if God says no, it’s part of his plan not mine. His ways are higher than mine. I really enjoyed this study, I haven’t been through this chapter like this before!
Re-reading Hebrews 11 in its entirety really made another impact on me. Story after story of the faith, trust and obedience of these people is encouraging me to think about how I live my life. Then I turned the page and read Hebrews 12:1-2! It’s like God is saying, “now since these people, who came before you, left you such a legacy and obeyed Me, trusted Me and helped make a way for you, don’t waste it!” I never really put that together with Hebrews 11. I’ve always read it separately and thought about the cloud of witnesses in my own life.
I’ve learned so much in this study! Thank you all for your input and prayers. May we all have more faith and trust in God and always strive to be more obedient to Him.
Thank you Carla for this reminder!
So good!
SRT thank you for this study! What a blessing! Fellow Shes thank you for faithfully showing up and sharing every day! Your comments have been both an encouragement and challenge in my own faith journey!
One thing that stood out to me often was God always showed up and He always did the work. I was encouraged to trust Him in all things and to have faith that He will do what He says He will do even when I don’t understand the when and the how!
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Two things stand out to me. First, even when I question, when I doubt, “he rewards those who seek him.” I will never give up seeking him!
Second, the parallel between the faiths of those in Hebrews 11 and our own: “But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” How we all desire the Better Place that God has prepared for us! Happy Friday Shes!
By faith the Hefferlys go home today, knowing God will equip us to be new parents. I’m am sitting in the goodness of God this morning with my newborn snuggles. I don’t know how my morning Devo is going to go from now on, but I will try and hop on here to comment when I can! Love you gals!
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Congratulations Lanie! Thank you for letting us all know Wednesday went well and now your family is grown by one.
Congratulations! Praising God all went well. ❤️
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I have tears of joy for you sweet Lanie!! I recall those first moments snuggling with my new born little ones! I remember waking up in the middle of the night in the hospital and holding my first-born son and could not believe I was holding him. AND I was thanking God for him. Congratulations to you and your husband!
Congratulations! What a blessing!!
Congratulations!!! This little baby girl is blessed to have you as her mother. Take time to soak it all in, don’t worry about the small things, enjoy the moments, don’t rush her growing up.
Congratulations
Congratulations Lanie!❤️
Congratulations!
Congratulations Lanie..
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Welcome to ‘our’ baby girl…
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By faith My heart sings today. This sure is a day the Lord has made.. Rejoicing. Rejoicing. Rejoicing.
Thank you Lord God, Thank you.
Congratulations again Lanie, to you and yours..❤️
Congratulations!
Congratulations Lanie! Enjoy your sweet baby girl! I love the time I had alone with my baby boy.
CONGRATULATIONS, Hefferlys!!! God bless baby girl as she settles in to her home routine- and you, too, LANIE! I am so happy for you!! ❤ love you!
Blessings to you and your family!! ❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations on your new little girl ! May the Lord bless her and her mom and dad. Cuddle away Lanie ❤️.
❤ Congratulations Lanie!
Verse 6 stood out to me. I often question whether my faith is good enough. When I read “without faith it is impossible to please him and faith is believing he exists and that he rewards those who genuinely seek him” I felt peace. That faith I have and I will continue to work on the rest.
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This may be one of my favorite studies! To really dive into each story reinforced time and time again to me that God is just looking for someone with enough faith to step out , trust Him, and obey. In each of these lives, there was active faith. Not perfect, many times imperfect, but God still used them because of their heart posture and their willingness. God asked big things of these heroes of faith, leave your homeland and everything you know, sacrifice your child, build an ark, suffer rather than enjoy the pleasures of this world, etc and all of them did so with their eyes fixed on the ONLY one who could bring them through. They did not look back, rather ahead to the promises, even though they could not see them. They trusted and surrendered everything to God. These are big shoes to fill, but our God is able to help us in our weakness. Praying for all of you! Chela’s chem midterm today. Pls
The theme of living by faith, even when it seems crazy, really stuck with me. So many of these heroes believed what God had promised and acted in obedience, even though it didn’t necessarily make sense at the time. And many of them never got to see the fulfillment of that faithfulness, yet here we are still reading about it. I was also so moved by everyone’s listings of who we count as a hero of faith in our own lives. So many moms and grandmothers. And family members of all kinds. It just encouraged me so much to keep my ears tuned to what God is saying to me, to act faithfully, even if it is counter-cultural and doesn’t make sense according to “the world’s” standards, and to keep shining that light of faithfulness for my family members to see. Hopefully someday my little granddaughter will be blessed by her GiGi’s faith and will continue to walk with our Lord.
I usually don’t really like studies like this, but the curated scripture by SRT and all of the comments really blessed my heart these past weeks. Thank you all for your faithfulness to be “women in the Word everyday!”
Same here, LAURA. Keeping it real, I don’t always connect with the devo’s when we do those types of studies. But … Any study structure is enhanced when we share our thoughts, feelings and insights with our sisters here. I have been blessed by your comments and sharing, thank you ❤️
Thanks for the insights Laura! You must be an awesome GiGi! My kids called my mom GaGa- I wish she were still here to impart her faith to them!
Throughout everything, their faith stayed strong, even as they made mistakes. When things were difficult, confusing, frightening and you-name-it, they held on to their faith in God – the plumb line that centered them even in the most off kilter conditions.
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My faith. Strengthened as I walk in it, taking one step, and then another. As I go through life believing in the Lord, seeking His guidance and His will, stumbling time and again, my faith in Him and all that He is allows me keep my focus or to refocus on His promises. Keeping steady by reading His word, reinforced by being in this community of like-minded sisters in Christ. Love you all! ❣️
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ERB – we’re looking for you, sister, praying all is well.
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CEE GEE ❤️
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TAMI – praying for Chela as she takes her chem exam today, for recall of info as she works her way through the questions/problems
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ADRIENNE – prayer for your oldest son in the background and testing process. Praying for peace and wisdom for you both, that God’s will be done regarding this potential job.
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Thank you, sisters, for blessing us with every testimony and memory shared throughout this rich study.
Thank you Searching! Love your comments. So true!
Thank you. ❤️
❤
This study has really brought home to me that often quoted first verse in Hebrew 11 -“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for…” I realised how glibly I used to repeat that!
My faith is built on trust – in my knowledge of our faithful, good, promise-keeping God who has a plan for me, for us. And I follow Him whether or not I see the outcome of my prayers or fully understand the working of His plan for me because I know there is a bigger, eternal outcome “something better for us” through Jesus. How blessed are we to know!! I’m now singing ‘My hope is built on nothing less’ in my head. :)
Thank you sisters for all your comments and insights that have made this study so rich. And thank you SRT. Love you all and feeling very blessed!
Amen!
I love verse 35 in the NLT they placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection
(It sent before I was finished) They sought a better country, a Spiritual home. It’s a reminder to me that no matter how nice a house I have here on earth, I’m not truly home until I’m home with Christ. Any stressors or anxieties; any conflicts and betrayals. They’ll all be little blips on the timeline of faith and pale in comparison with Christ’s magnificent presence. Or as the old hymn says, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.”
“These all died in faith”…I love that phrase.
To live by faith…
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Not for the faint hearted..
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BUT GOD..
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●He never said it would be easy, but He did say He would always be present ..
●He provided a way for us, long before we were twinkles in our parents eyes.
●We can trust God, because He will always come through.
●Believe Him, for He has our best interest, and then some, at heart.
●Holding fast to Him, is a win, every time… every time!
●He has the power to make ALL things possible, even when, things look and seem impossible.
●He gives US power to see and do things we could never have imagined.
●He requires us to offer our best, our heart, mind and soul, thoughts..our worship..
●Calls us to bless others because He first blessed us, with His son, Jesus Christ.
●Pray it forward.. God WILL see it through to its finality.
●He would love for you to talk to Him. Give Him your day. Your woes your worries, your joys. Your sufferings.
●Believe He ‘passes over’ us each day, even when we don’t know it.
●Gives us the strength to come through the storms and pains of life.. He will fight for us!
●He will still use us, bless us, comfort us, bring us Hope, in faith.
●No matter our past, present or future, God always provides something better for us. We see it by faith..
●Bottom line. Faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen..
●Are we ready..?
Can we believe, trust and Hope in the One true God..
I will end this missive of thoughts with..
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By Faith, Tina, was shown the goodness of God, and SHE surrendered her all to God.. He is worthy of my praise… always..
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AMEN
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Happy Friday.. dear hearts.. covered in much love and prayers..❤️
So good ❤️
Absolutely ♥️
GM Tina. I had my own bulleted list but yours said it all! Thank you for the beautiful recap.
Echoing Kelly – so good! Thank you Tina. ❤
Tina this is a great list. I actually took a screenshot so I can come back and ponder more. Your comments always enrich my understanding!
Thank you so much Tina. I look forward to your reflections and prayers every morning. Your heart for God is so beautiful. Thank you.
Beautifully stated, Tina.
LOVE your sweet Tina!
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this Tina.
I love you TINA (cried again as i read what you shared). How do you do this? lol.
❤️
Thank you Tina, I copied and texted to a few of my dear ones ❤️ that need some encouraging.
I’ve come away with the reminder that one cannot have too much faith. I need to be consistent in asking God to increase my faith in Him and trust His good plans not only for me, but also for this world and the world to come.
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Great interaction with you ladies! Hope those who are not fond of this format of study were enriched and encouraged.
MICHELLE P – praying the Holy Spirit fills the room during your open mic event and hearts are turned to Jesus ❤️
MICHELLE P – joining Kelly in prayer for tonight’s event.
Thank you both !!! God is with me. Love you ladies!!
Praying for words to share tonight whether it be through song or words, and a successful event!! I love that God has prepared you already in your past venues to do this at your new job!! Very cool!
Yes! ❤️❤️
Rhonda that is such a good point!! I am equipped:) thank you ladies again!!
This has been such a rich study, it’s hard to know where to start. Briefly, I reread Hebrews 11 in The Message this morning. This is how the last two verses read: “Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.” I love the reminder that from the beginning God is working out a plan to fulfill His promises that includes all these people we read about AND you and me! That plan is not complete without all of His people coming together in the faith that believes, saves and anticipates the complete fulfillment of His promises – heaven country.
Two thumbs up for the SRT team on this one – the podcasts are super – if you have not, do take time to listen.
God’s richest blessings on your Friday!
❤️