HCC Monthly Harvest Seed

Hebrews11:1-6 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. ³ By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. ⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. ⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken, he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Our faith is the foundation of all that we believe.

Hebrews chapter 11 is often described as “God’s hall of faith”.

These are people that we can look to as an example of what it is to serve God, love God and to make a difference in this world for God.

Faith is at the heart of all that a true Christian is. Christians LIVE -By Faith.  Every aspect of our life is lived – By Faith.

2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we walk by faith, not by sight.

True Christians live by faith and not by what they see. They trust God and His Word. Faith is not wishing, it is not positive thinking, it is not manipulating things and circumstances. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Our faith has substance to it. And it is the substance of faith that gives substance to our lives.

This year our theme is – By Faith. We will be learning to live our lives by faith. To walk BY FAITH and not by Sight.

Today many Christians are living by what they know and see. This year is a call to Biblical living. Faithful living and faith-filled living.

What many consider faith is something that has been humanized. Today much of what is taught about faith is corrupted faith. It is rooted in personal gain or to meet self needs and desires. The faith that is taught is urging believers to ask God to bless them, prosper them and to give them their dreams and desires.

True faith that walks in obedience to God’s Word already understands that they are blessed and walk in favor with God because it stems from a relationship with God.

True faith is born out of intimacy with God.

If the faith we have doesn’t come out of intimacy with God, it really isn’t faith in His sight. True faith comes out of the SUBSTANCE of our intimacy and relationship with God.

It is out of this intimacy that the blessings of faith come.

Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

People want to know the secret of having great faith. – There are no shortcuts, no secret formulas. God is a REWARDER of those who diligently seek HIM. People of great faith are people of prayer. Those who spend time in the presence of God.

The presence of God is not a mystical cloud that appears – to be in the presence of God means that we are PRESENT where HE is.

Presence is not a feeling, it is not an anointing, it is PROXIMITY.

James 4:8a - Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

You only truly get to know someone the closer you get to them. First in physical nearness then in emotional and spiritual nearness.

The reason people of faith are able to walk by faith and see the results of faith are because they stay close to God. –

A life that is lived by faith is a life that is lived near and close to God.  Daniel 11:32b - but the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.

It is impossible to have faith that pleases God without sharing intimacy with Him.

True faith comes as we desire to know and please the Lord above everything else in our lives.

A life lived by faith is not a life that is lived alone it is lived in relationship with God. It is a bond of faith, a communion that is like a marriage.

 A life lived by faith is a life lived together with God. All of it.

Each year we start out on a fresh journey. I am excited about what God is going to do in our lives individually and through us as a church as we truly learn to live – By Faith.

May you and your family be blessed in this New Year. Remember it is a New Year but the Same God! You are Loved-

Pastor Marvin & Dawn

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay