COMMENDED FOR YOUR FAITH

Hebrews 11:1,2
The ancients were commended for their faith. In other words, heaven applauded their faith. Heaven applauds when men and women walk by faith.

1. HEAVEN APPLAUDS YOUR FAITH

Hebrews 11: 4
Abel gave God his best. That was the principal difference between his sacrifice and that of Cain - "…Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the first-born of his flock. The LORD looked with favour on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favour…" Genesis 4:3-5

Q. Do you give God your best?
Q. To whom do you give the best of your energy and creative talent - your boss, your school work or God?
Q. To whom do you give regularly, responsibly and reliably - your loan re-payment scheme, your landlord or God?
Q. To what do you give the best of your reading concentration - the newspaper, schoolwork or your Bible study?

It takes faith to give God your best because that leaves you with second best.

Hebrews 11: 5
It takes faith to aim to please God, whom you don't see, when faced with pressure at home, at work or at school from people whom you do see.

Q. Whom do you seek to please in the use of and prioritizing of your finances - yourself or God?
Q. Whom do you seek to pleased in the use of your time - yourself or God and people you can serve so as to encourage towards godliness?

Hebrews11: 7
Q. As you are discipled, taught and preached to about aspects of your marriage, parenting, dating, character, personal conduct or faith, do you take these warnings seriously by repenting quickly?

It takes faith and humility to be quick to change when corrected. Look no further than pride and lack of faith if you find that you are not growing or changing in any given area.

2. HEAVEN REWARDS YOUR FAITH

Hebrews 11:11,12
God rewarded Abraham and Sarah's faith by giving them a baby against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Hebrews 11:31
Because of Rahab's faith, God rewarded her by protecting her.

Hebrews 11:32-34
God rewarded the courageous faithful by using them to accomplish greatness and achieve incredible personal victories.

Your acts of faith in your service to the kingdom of God do not go unnoticed by God. Heaven respects and rewards your faith. So don't shrink back or give up. Trust God, serve him and give him your best.

Heaven looks on as we follow Christ's footsteps and advance God's kingdom. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

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