Dixie and Dottie

~ MEANINGFUL MONDAYS ~

In Sunday School we are studying Hebrews 11.  This past week we learned what faith is.  
Here are a few things that we learned:  
1.  Faith - as defined in Hebrews 11:1
              = the substance of things hoped for (to have hope we must     
                 have faith)
              = the evidence of things not seen (We have never seen 
                 God, but believe that He exists)
              = what pleases God (verse 6)
              Faith in Christ = what saves us (Ephesians 2:8,9) We can't 
              be saved without faith.
2.  Faith - as defined by Webster's dictionary
              = belief in God; trust in God
              = belief without proof
3.  Opposite of faith = doubt, mistrust
              - When we take things into our own hands and don't let
                 God handle things, we are doubting Him.  We are 
                 trusting ourselves more than God.  We are decreasing
                 our faith.
4.  Everyone has faith, (Romans 12:3) but not everyone puts that 
     faith in Christ to be saved.  They put their faith in religion, 
     works, themselves, etc.
5.  It takes faith to live the Christian life.  (Mark 11:22)  

          “LIVING BY FAITH”

1.  I care not today what the morrow may bring,

If shadow or sunshine or rain,

The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything,

And all of my worries are vain.

Refrain:
• Living by faith in Jesus above,
  Trusting, confiding in His great love;
  From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,
  I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.
  
  
  
  
2.  Though tempests may blow and the storm clouds arise,
Obscuring the brightness of life,
I’m never alarmed at the overcast skies—
The Master looks on at the strife.




3.  I know that He safely will carry me through,
No matter what evils betide;
Why should I then care though the tempest may blow,
If Jesus walks close to my side.




4.  Our Lord will return for His loved ones some day,
Our troubles will then all be o’er;
The Master so gently will lead us away,
Beyond that blest heavenly shore.


6.  Jesus often accused the disciples of having "little 
     faith".  (Matthew 6:30; 8:26;14:31; Luke 8:25; 
     Luke 12:28)
7.  Our prayer should be "Lord, increase our faith".  
     (Luke 17:5)


Here is a poem I found and read to my class.  


FAITH
Deaf to doubts,
Dumb to discouragements,
Blind to impossibilities,
Knows nothing but success,
Makes the uplook good,
Makes the outlook bright,
Makes the inlook favorable,
Makes the future look glorious,
Faith sees the invisible.
Faith hears the inaudible.
Faith touches the intangible. 
Faith lifts its hands up through the threatening storm clouds,
And lays hold on Him, Who has power in Heaven and earth.
Faith looks up to the banister of Heaven
and lets us "look" up into the Promised Land.
written by:  Willard G. Thomas


I hope this helps and encourages you.  I sure did learn from it.