faith in the new year
Topic: actually 2001
hebrews 11:6
and without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who
comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those
who earnestly seek him.

**** since this is the first verses email of 2001 - please allow me
a little logical progression (review for some of you)

1. pleasing God is a good thing

2. we must have faith to please God
???????? what is faith? - hebrews 11:1 "now faith IS being SURE OF
WHAT WE HOPE FOR and CERTAIN OF WHAT WE DO NOT SEE."

** there are two specific parts of our faith that 11:6 talks about
A. believing God exists.
B. believing God rewards those who earnestly seek him.

????????? is A. good enough? well, according to james 3:19 "you
believe that there is only one God. good! even the demons believe
that and shudder."

we need A. and B.

hmmmm - if i believe God rewards those who earnestly seek him, and a
reward is a good thing and pleasing God is a good thing, maybe i
should earnestly seek him? OF COURSE I SHOULD EARNESTLY SEEK HIM! (but what does the word "earnestly" mean? - let's ask our good
friend Mr. Dictionary...)

"earnestly" - serious in effort; showing depth and sincerity of
feeling; of serious importance, or demanding serious attention

**** well, there you have it. make up your mind today to make 2001 a
year of faith for you - a year in which you "earnestly" seek God -
where do you look? start in His Word and in prayer - go to sunday
school, church, youth group, Bible club, etc. (wherever you can to
learn more about Him) - place your hope and trust in Him and in Him
alone! have a great 2001 :)

2 timothy 1:9-10
God saved us and chose us to be his holy people.
we did nothing to deserve this,
but God planned it because he is so kind.
even before time began,
God planned for Christ Jesus to show kindness to us.
now Christ Jesus has come to show us the kindness of God.
Christ our Savior defeated death and brought us good news.
it shines like a light and offers life that never ends.