God talked to me and I’m delivering what He said I should give you. Yes, you have been told throughout the annals of life what faith is…and let me tell you, I at times in my life have struggled with maintaining faith initiatives, and learn g what’s so amazing about grace. I learned that it also is not social justice, but has been just us when we don’t abide by ‘thus sayeth the Lord principles’. Furthermore it is certainly not a half-hearted stab at committing to certain ministries, or begrudgingly parting with something you cherish—giving should be cheerful; it’s not a Godly marriage with no regard to how Holy Matrimony should be. No way! It’s not selfless parenting or misguided friendships. All of these are wonderful and worthy things as long as someone believes all that are truths, but without a belief system imbedded in your hearts, and how faith can be all that it takes for Spiritual Victories, it can be the difference in obtaining God’s Grace and gratitude. They are all built on top of the cornerstone of Biblical faith. One of the main reasons I petitioned to God to give me something of worth to you, I wanted to make sure that you remember other sermons you may have heard about this subject…I wanted to jog your mind and stir up any forgotten nuggets that I may have given you, especially those snapshots of God where faith was the center of His teachings. Know that the epicenter of Biblical faith is worshipping God, giving Him your ear, and you listening to that Still Small Voice that can be as loud as you want it to be. This is the thing that separates people of good faith from everyone else. I know you know that Sinners don’t come into the world worshipping God. No, we’re all born as committed worshippers of creation, and the thing we worship most is ourselves. Foolish pride will do that when we’re not obedient, when we’re not humble, when we sit about and not be active in doing what can be done to endear Him to us. We’re too busy feeling sorry for ourselves with a ‘woe is me attitude,’ and languishing among the ailments and hurts of complacency. I know I’m not talking about none of you, right? 

   Faith is such a heavy subject that there’s no way I can broach all of its attributes. We happen to live in a world that is not conducive to any righteous intent…it is not Eden, nor is it a place we will call our final home. There’s a place that the Lord said He’ll take you there. Do you remember a particular song from beloved Gospel Singer, Mavis Staples who recorded it about being taken ‘there’…that place we know is that of the New Jerusalem—the most Highest of places, Heaven! You wanna go there? Only one person can take you there…He wants to do it, but He’s waiting on you! You definitely can go, but you need to believe that you should be there…you have to know who is your ticket to ride, you have to know where faith starts and end! You have to find your cornerstone of faith. I’m sure you’d want to know all about Hebrews11:1. Faith is the confidence we hope for will actually happen, it gives us assurances  about the things we cannot see. It speaks of the importance of faith and its meaning, it is MY cornerstone! Let me ask you this: Do you remember when you were young and your birthday was right around the corner…you were all excited and anxious. You knew you would receive gifts and perhaps other special treats. But there were some things that would be a surprise. Birthdays were like that…they combined assurance and anticipation, but so does Faith!

     It is the confidence based on past experience that God’s new and fresh surprises would surely be yours. Just a few minutes ago I mentioned that you have to know and understand how to begin and end with renewer type faith. The beginning part of faith is believing in God’s character. He IS who He say He is. The end point is believing in His promises. He definitely will DO what He says, because He doesn’t make mistakes. When you believe that God will fulfill all of His promises even if you don’t see those promises materializing yet, you must persevere and wait on Him—that would be true faith. Here are a few examples of faith. It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. His offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed approval. It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying, but before that he was known as a person who pleased God. It’s impossible to please God without faith. It was by faith that Noah built a big ole boat to save his family from the flood, but not before being warned by God of things to come. You see, obedience has rewards! Then there was Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Joseph, Moses, and Rahab. Do I have to mention Gideon, David, Barak, Samson, and all of the Prophets both Major and Minor? What bout the three Hebrew boys? They, and the rest, all looked to the Man for directives and they believed. What about you, do you believe…find your cornerstone and claim it. WOW! What more can I share with you about being faithful? It would take too long, but when the Lord gives you a threshold to cross it only takes a minute. I don’t like closing anything that can be left open for more interpretive value. Know that destined value is believing that there’s a better place, a heavenly homeland that is yours. This is why God is not ashamed to be called your God because He has already prepared to take you there…to that place! Are you ready?