Daily Bible Reading - Monday August 3rd

Faith is a funny thing to understand sometimes, without it we really can’t get anywhere but with it we can accomplish anything God has set out for us to do.  There are several translations of faith but when it comes down to it, they all mean the same.  I like the translation the devotional gives us this morning, "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see" When we have the confidence or in some translations it says “assurance" another translation says “substance" when we have that then faith will come alive in us and we will truly have the faith we need to run the race that is set before us.  For so long I didn’t have the faith to run the race and therefore it was like I was running but not getting anywhere, like I was running on a treadmill staying in the same place.  When I caught hold of what that scripture really means it was like faith jumped into my spirit and I was able to run the race set before me, and now when I read the bible I have the faith and assurance that what I am reading really happened and it pops out at me like a movie or something, it’s really amazing when we read the scriptures having the proper faith.

Today’s Reading

2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33
Romans 16:10-27
Psalm 26:1-12
Proverbs 20:19

Daily Devotional

Hebrews 11:1

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see"

So many people today are depressed and discouraged because they only focus on their present cir****tances. They’re constantly dwelling on their problems, what they don’t have, and what’s wrong with them. They don’t realize it, but they’re allowing the enemy to steal their hope. This negative frame of mind is what keeps people from moving forward in life.

Understand today that faith is confidence and assurance about the things we hope for according to the promises of God. Like an arrow, your faith points to the target of hope. If you don’t have hope, that arrow of faith will just drop to the ground. It won’t accomplish anything. But, when you keep your hopes up, when you keep expecting and keep believing, it’s as if that target gets larger and larger—easier to hit!

Choose today to live with an attitude of expectancy. Get your hopes up! Start by taking captive any negative thoughts you may have one at a time. As you focus on God’s goodness and faithfulness, you’ll feel that hope inside you growing. You’ll give your faith a target, and you’ll move confidently into the blessings and peace the Lord has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today: Father in heaven, today I surrender every thought to You. I choose to release my cares and concerns so I can focus on Your goodness in my life. Thank You for the gift of faith to see the impossible become possible as I continue to place my hope and confidence in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.